P3's Stars and Stripes Challenge Is Back

This year the Palmetto Peleton Project's signature event has moved to Memorial Day weekend, as The Stars and Stripes Challenge at the USA Cycling Professional Championships will once again take to the streets of Greenville.

The Challenge will take place on Sunday, May 29, and all proceeds will benefit cancer research and programs that improve quality of life for those recovering from a diagnosis.

This year's event has a new course - starting at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest - and new distances of 10, 32, 60 and 100 miles.

Participants who meet the fund-raising requirements can ride in the Time Trial Experience, earn tickets for the VIP area, and qualify for special opportunities to meet and greet the pro athletes.   

Local Tri Shop Changes Name

Go Tri Sports - at 400 E. McBee Ave., Greenville - recently changed its name to ON ON TRI.
According to owner Alfred Olivetti, the name change ushers in the second phase of the relationship between himself and new partner Jeff Milliman. Olivetti joked, "Jeff came on board in September, it just took us a long time to determine a new name!"
He added that the rest of the ON ON TRI staff - Jamie Church, Scott Brown, Nelson Cortes - and the shop's focus and service will remain the same.    

Boston Marathon Changes

The Boston Athletic Association recently announced changes in its registration and qualification process for the Boston Marathon, allowing the fastest qualifiers to enter the earliest and with a rolling admission system while also offering all eligible runners an increased registration period.
For the 2012 marathon, registration will extend for two weeks. The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon will not change from recent past years, since the standards had been previously announced. However, the new registration process addresses the increased demand among qualified runners to participate in the Boston Marathon and will allow those who are the fastest qualifiers (20 minutes faster than their qualifying time) to register first.
Beginning with the 2013 marathon, qualifying times will be lowered by five minutes for males and females, all age groups.
Go to www.baa.org for more information.