An internationally recognized Arlington cycling event now has a slightly different name — and has partly shifted outside of Arlington.
The Armed Forces Cycling Classic is now the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic, organizer Arlington Sports announced yesterday (Wednesday).
Parts of the event, now entering its 27th year, will still take place in Arlington. But other parts will now be in D.C.
“The main anchor of the event,” the Clarendon Cup, will still take place in Clarendon on Sunday, June 1, Rob Laybourn, founder of the Armed Forces Cycling Classic, told ARLnow.
But one race on Saturday, May 31 — previously taking place at Crystal City’s “Crystal Cup” — will now happen “on a short, spectator friendly course in D.C.”
Additionally, the 13-mile Challenge Ride that same day will begin and end in front of the U.S. Capitol, instead of in Crystal City.
This is a longer course than before, and a large part of the race still follows the former route past the Pentagon and up to Rosslyn.
“As the event has grown, natural expansion into D.C. allows us to enhance the experience for participants, attract a broader audience, and increase the overall economic impact across the region,” Laybourn said.
“We remain deeply committed to Arlington and appreciate the ongoing support from the community as we work to make this event even more dynamic and far-reaching within our region.”
As for the name change, Patrick Phillippi, head of community engagement for Amazon in the greater D.C. area, noted that Amazon has sponsored the Armed Forces Cycling Classic for the past three years.
“The Armed Forces Cycling Classic reflects so many key important core values for our company, including health and wellness, support for our military community, and engaging our workforce and local community, all taking place in our backyard,” he said.
Proceeds from the races continue to go to the Clarendon-based nonprofit Tragedy Assistance for Survivors (TAPS), which provides care and resources for people grieving the loss of a military loved one.
