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Ecuadorian Jorge Carrenza takes the win after a fall with Patterson less than 3 minutes behind and in fifth overall
GFNY returned to Latin America for the third time this season with GFNY Ecuador Manta last Sunday. Over 700 cyclists rode the beautiful but challenging 143-kilometer long course that included 2034 meters of climbing, most of which was attacked in the Pacoche forest.
Despite a crash and mechanical early in the race, Jorge Carranza caught up to his rivals and paired up with Corratec rider Daren Katsuno. Together, Carrenza and Katsuno dropped the lead peloton to finish in 03:59:14 in first and second place. Less than 2 minutes later, the all Ecuadorian podium was rounded out by John Fabricio Palma.
In the women’s competition, the 2019 GFNY NYC World Champion Jill Patterson (USA) took the win in 04:02:05, just three minutes behind the men’s champ and in fifth place overall. Ecuadorians Daniela Zambrano and Angy Luna rounded out the podium.
Jorge Carranza punched his ticket for the GFNY World Championship in NYC in May 2022, where he will race a course that’s quite similar and can proove that he wasn’t a fluke. Meanwhile Jill Patterson will no doubt be the marked lady come May 15.
GFNY now heads back to Europe for a true Italian Gran Fondo: GFNY Italia Montepulciano-Torrita di Siena, featuring the spectacular “strade bianche” sectors in the Tuscan hills on October 17.
About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series
GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.
Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.
Cycling
20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here
Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.
Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.
GFNY World Championship NYC
The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.
The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.
Further Material for Media Use
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here
Media Contact
Florida’s Highlands County gaining sports tourism from hosting GFNY event
The inaugural GFNY Florida Sebring held on October 25, 2020 attracted 800 cyclists and their families to Highlands County, Florida and earned GFNY the Sports Tourism Award 2021.
“The award recognizes GFNY’s dedication to sports tourism by consistently growing sports participation, increasing the promotion and marketability of Highlands County to visitors, and producing a series of sports tourism events that show a profound impact on the Highlands County economy through out-of-town visitation,” says Casey Wohl, the Lead Marketing Consultant for Visit Sebring/the Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
“We’re honored to receive this award because it recognizes the hard work we’re putting into creating not only world class events for participants but also events that directly benefit the host region”, says GFNY President Lidia Fluhme.
In October 2021, GFNY will be back in Sebring and Highlands County to organize the second annual GFNY Florida on October 31. New for 2021, Sebring will also host GFNY’s inaugural running marathon: GFNY Marathon Florida Sebring. The race is scheduled for October 24 and will give runners the option to race a full or half marathon and a fun run on and around the Sebring International Raceway.
Website: florida.gfny.com and floridamarathon.gfny.com
About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series
GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.
Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.
Cycling
20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here
Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.
Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.
GFNY World Championship NYC
The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.
The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.
Further Material for Media Use
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here
Media Contact
“You’ve preached for a decade to us why cycling is so great and now we are supposed to be runners?”
“What do you know about running anyway?”
Let me answer the second question first because it’s not only valid but it also supports my answer to the first (hint: I’ve been there).
I started bike racing as a junior. By the time I was 20, I added running to my training because I wanted to finish an Ironman in a one-and-done kind of way. I did the Ironman half a year later and a marathon as preparation before that (oh to be young again). But I wasn’t done with either Ironman or running. The one-and-done turned into 15 years first trying to be the best Ironman and then the best Marathoner I could be. This ended with finishing top 100 both at Ironman Hawaii and the NYC Marathon. But the journey is where the key was: I traveled the world and raced in obvious and non obvious places which gave me great memories.
So if you think I am a cycling nerd, you should have seen me through my running heydays which answers question two: I know much more than necessary at any level.
Now let’s get to the more pressing question: why should you – a passionate road cyclist – be also a runner?
Disclaimer: if you really just don’t like running and don’t want to be encouraged to rethink that, that’s of course fine. And there are obviously a few physical reasons that might keep you from running (interestingly though most aren’t final). In those cases, see you at the next GFNY Cycling race!
1. It’s fun
Running is fun and it’s why I do it. Many people can’t imagine a strenuous exercise like running to be fun but it truly is if you give it an honest try. If you’ve never tried it since you were forced to do it in high school, you might have to give it 4-8 weeks of consistent running to reap the fun part. And speaking of high school: I could barely do two laps on the track (800m) back then and hated running.
I especially love running in nature. When you get into a flow, it’s pure bliss. A flow like that is harder to achieve in cycling because we’re usually in traffic and cycling requires more situational awareness.
2. You can do it anywhere
Cycling is great but while you can travel with your bike to ride in new places, it isn’t always practical. Few of us would take their bike on the plane for a three day work trip. But there is no reason not to take a running kit and shoes in your carry-on for a run in the morning before breakfast. It’s a great way to experience a place and get your exercise in.
I remember a short business trip to London where I packed gym gear for a workout in the hotel gym. It was January but surprisingly mild so I opted for a run. It wasn’t mild enough for a run in the singlet I brought with me for the gym but a dress shirt later, I was off and running along the Thames and all the sightseeing highlights of London.
3. You can do it in any weather
Ok, almost any weather but snow isn’t rideable and rain riding not for everyone either. Running, however, can be even more fun occasionally in weather that you would never consider riding in. Imagine getting your play time in without having to worry about weather. Yes please!
4. It’s healthy
Yes, you are already getting all the health benefits from cycling. But running is important to support your bone density which is something cycling does nothing for. And running uses certain muscles that are more or less dormant on the bike, most notably core muscles.
5. So many race options
Let’s face it, we like to race. And while racing a GFNY cycling event will give you long lasting memories because it was long and difficult and possibly required you to travel far, you can’t do that every weekend.
You can, however, find a run race nearby all the time. The fun about running is that you don’t have to stick to running a marathon. Sure, the marathon can be considered the crown jewel of running but that doesn’t mean you should run a mile race – or a 100 mile race!
6. It complements your cycling fitness
As a hardcore cyclist, you might wonder if running is detrimental for cycling. After all, as cyclists we’ve been taught “Why run if you can stand, why stand if you can sit down, why sit down if you can lie down?”
And there is some truth to that: if you are racing the Tour next week or Flanders as part of a pro team, stay away from running. After all, you’re using different muscles and might get an injury.
If you are not a pro cyclist, however, running is likely beneficial for your cycling. In addition to recruiting different and complementary muscles, it is also great to keep the weight down as the calorie burn per hour spent is greater than in cycling. While you do feel every extra weight when climbing on a bike, you feel it even more so when running and it might trip you to just be a little more serious with your diet.
In a future article, I will address commonly raised arguments by cyclists against running.
Let’s run!
GFNY continues to dominate South American mass participation cycling event with GFNY Ecuador Manta on September 26
GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series returns to Latin America for the third time this year with GFNY Ecuador on Sunday, September 26. The race offers a long course of 143 kilometers and a (non-competitive) medium course of 65 kilometers.
The competitive long course, with 2034 meters of climbing, will take riders from the start at Wyndham Manta Gail Plaza along the beautiful Ecuadorian Pacific Coastline, the Pacoche forest, and back through the nearby mountain range.
“GFNY Ecuador was the first ever mass participation cycling race in Ecuador back in 2019,” says GFNY CEO Uli Fluhme.
“Breaking ground in a new country is always exciting and provides unique challenges, yet it makes us extra proud when achieved. Huge props to Elena Nolasco, Christian Mendez and the whole GFNY team in Ecuador to further grow and evolve this spectacular event in the midst of a global pandemic.”
“Cycling is a phenomenal outlet and strengthens physical and mental well being, especially in a crisis. And being outdoors, it can be done in a safe way during a pandemic.”
Website: ecuador.gfny.com
About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series
GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.
Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.
Cycling
20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here
Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.
Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.
GFNY World Championship NYC
The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.
The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.
Further Material for Media Use
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here
Media Contact
Renee Eastman dominates women’s race at the Ski Santa Fe mountain top finish
The second annual GFNY Santa Fe bounced back from the pandemic with a bang. The southern end of the Rocky Mountains made for spectacular racing in a high altitude setting with perfect racing weather. The 75-mile course included 7,150 feet of climbing of which most is attacked at the end of the race with the fierce climb high up to Ski Santa Fe at over ten thousand feet.
Fortunato Ferrara defended his title with another dominating performance. Ryan Carmer finished 2nd, and Evan Long rounded out the all New Mexico men’s podium. With his impressive repeat win, Ferrara earned his front spot at the GFNY World Championship in New York City on May 15, 2022 where he will have to prove his abilities on a sea level Ardennes style course against a stacked field.
It was Colorado, New Mexico and California on the women’s podium: Renee Eastman of Colorado Springs crushed the long route with local heroine Irene Ossola in second place and Jane Despas of Menlo Park, California in third.
GFNY will trade the American high altitude desert with the Ecuadorian Pacific Coastline with Manta’s GFNY Ecuador just a week later on September 26.
About GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series
GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series is a sports event company with three decades of experience in racing, planning and organizing events. The global endurance sports brand hosts multiple events throughout the year around the world on five continents.
Working with partners around the world to deliver a first-class experience, GFNY Global Endurance Sports Series puts their athletes first.
Cycling
20 plus events around the world. View the 2021-2022 calendar here
Riders get to BE A PRO FOR A DAY ® by competing against others, themselves and the clock in a personal endurance challenge.
Top 10% (20% at regional championships) of finishers in each age group qualify for the Racer Corral at every GFNY World event.
GFNY World Championship NYC
The 10th annual GFNY World Championship New York will be held on May 15, 2022. The race features the world’s most international peloton with riders from over 90 countries. Athletes take on a challenging 100-mile route from NYC to Bear Mountain to Fort Lee to compete against each other, the clock and themselves in a personal endurance challenge.
The official GFNY website is: www.gfny.com.
Further Material for Media Use
GFNY Press Images: here
GFNY World calendar graphic: here
Previous GFNY press releases: here
Media Contact
GFNY Cozumel
Situated opposite Playa del Carmen in the Caribbean sea, the Island of Cozumel is the jewel of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The GFNY Cozumel start and finish line are centrally located right in the largest city of Cozumel, San Miguel de Cozumel. For GFNY Race Week – the entire city and island are consumed by GFNY celebrations and riders from all over the World who descend upon the Island for this year-ending celebration of cycling in a location that is often described simply as “paradise”.
But before you can fully enjoy the trappings of this paradise, there is racing to be done, so let’s explore what is ahead of the riders in this unique Caribbean cycling getway.
Be A Pro For A Day in Paradise.
Before the start
Unique to GFNY Cozumel is the start time of 7:30 AM. This is 30 minutes later than most GFNY start times, so riders should take note, but still follow the rider guide for corral time openings and where to be to make sure that the race experience is as stress free as possible.
Riders will need to consume a lot of water to stay hydrated in the hot and humid Cozumel climate. We recommend that all riders use a sports drink mix to make sure that they are replacing electrolytes and stay hydrated even as they wait for the start. Using the GFNY Ice Fly Bottle will help keep your water/sports drink cool during the race.
The Race
On paper (or a screen) the GFNY Cozumel course does not look like a difficult course. There is virtually no climbing, and the course is essentially “pancake flat”. But outside of climbing, there are other challenges on the course that riders should be ready for. First, the heat and humidity will require that riders continue to pay attention to nutrition and hydration before the start and throughout the race. Making use of the aid stations will allow riders to keep their bottles full from a large supply of Powerade, water, and tons of ice to keep you cool.
For the first 28 kilometers of the race, the riders will be sheltered by trees on both sides of the road. The wind will not yet be a factor here, and so staying on wheels, and working in a group will allow riders to conserve their energy for when it is needed most, while generating top speeds to stay competitive. As the riders emerge from the trees at 28 kilometers they will begin to ride along the beautiful turquoise Caribbean. Riders looking for a competitive result or a personal best will want to focus on the riders in front of them. This is where the race will really heat up. The first attacks will be put in, and the groups will start to break at several points. The riders will battle mother nature (the strong head wind), for the next 20 kilometers along the seaside. This sector of the race is “The Ford King of the Wind Challenge” where the fastest king and queen of the wind will be awarded special prizes.
After completing The Ford Kind of the Wind Challenge, riders will turn left and have a 14 kilometer straight run into the center of San Miguel de Cozumel. While the riders will be turning away from the wind, the speed will pick up, and so riders will continue to be challenged. Riders that have put too much energy into fighting the headwind may drop back here, while riders that still have some energy will be able to create some separation in the field. Upon entering the center of San Miguel de Cozumel, riders with great technical skills will have a huge advantage and will be able to find their way to the front of the pack by navigating the many turns into the center of the city.
Riders will cover 20 kilometers through the city streets. These are the most important kilometers of the race in the second lap and where GFNY Cozumel is won or lost. The variations in speed will sap the riders energy while cornering at high speeds, braking, accelerating, and repeating this again and again through the city streets. Riders will know at this point if they ate and drank enough during the entire course. Three critical corners will take the riders through the last three kilometers, and that is where riders will need to be in the top ten if they want to have a chance at the podium. WIth 150 meters between the last corner and the finish line, the rider that rounds that last corner with the most power and the highest speed will likely be crowned the winner.
For Medium Course riders, the race ends after one lap of 79 kilometers. The Long Course riders will take a second lap (including a second shot at The Ford King of the Wind Challenge), for a total of 158 kilometers. We cannot emphasize enough that riders should take advantage of the 4 aid stations located throughout each lap to ensure that they are staying hydrated and nourished properly for a strong finish.
At the finish line – one of the epic celebrations of cycling awaits you with food, music and the podium ceremonies.
GFNY Colonia
Uruguay is now home to two special GFNY experiences. GFNY Punta del Este in March, and GFNY Colonia in November, racing at the opposite ends of the Uruguayan cycling season.
GFNY Colonia will be centered in the beautiful and historic town of Colonia del Sacramento in the Southwest of Uruguay at the border of the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver). The oldest city in Uruguay, Colonia has a spectacular history, European style and charm, and seaside flare. Convenient to Buenos Aires, via a 1 hour and fifteen minute ferry ride, it is an ideal destination for those that may wish to escape the confines of the city of Buenos Aires for a few days at a slower pace of living, and a faster pace of cycling.
Offering two distance options, GFNY Uruguay, Colonia will provide a competitive long route of 153.2 kilometers and a non-competitive medium route of 87.2 kilometers. Both courses will share the first 45 kilometers through beautiful olive groves, vineyard and cattle country.
Let’s explore the challenge that riders will need to conquer in this exceptional destination in Uruguay to bring home the GFNY Uruguay Medal.
The Start
GFNY Colonia will start at Rambla de las Americas along the River of Silver. The weather in November is perfect for cycling at 24-27 degrees Celsius, but can be windy, and this may be a big factor during the race. Riders will follow the Rio de la Plata for the first kilometer before turning inland. On this left turn it will be important to stay focused and watch out for the traffic island in the middle of the road. Staying to the right of the traffic island will keep the riders safe. After turning the road will rise for 500 meters which will make for a hard and fast start. Riders should try to get a proper warm up prior to the start time to ensure that they will be ready to go from the gun. At the upcoming roundabout, riders will take the third exit bringing them to Treinta y Tres Orientales and this will be the road riders will stay on until the turnaround.
Treinta Y Tres Orientales
The course will follow the Treinta y Tres Orientales for the majority of the race. and while there will not be many turns or corners, there will be some traffic obstacles that riders will need to pay careful attention to. At 18 kilometers into the race, riders will cross a narrow bridge, and riders will need to merge in from the wider roadway to cross. Riders that are in large groups will want to be at the front of the group to see the bridge as they approach and avoid any chance of a crash in merging with other riders.
While there are some rolling hills throughout the course, these will not be the biggest challenge that riders will face. The GFNY Colonia course will challenge the riders’ ability to manage their effort into the wind throughout the course. Reaching the 23 kilometer mark in the race, riders will find the first aid station and a chance to refill bottles, and grab sweet and salty snacks to replenish their energy.
28 kilometers into the race, riders will again need to stay focused and try to be on the front of their groups to cross another bridge. If arriving at the bridge in a big group, riders should stay alert, and find a good line to cross without interfering with other riders in the group. The rolling hills will come fast and frequently, so riders should build momentum on the descents to get up the next rolling hill without using too much of their energy.
The road will start to head slightly down at about 32 kilometers into the race, and will approach a roundabout. This roundabout will take riders to the left, where there will be another narrow bridge. Riders should stay focused on finding a good line, and if possible getting to the front of their groups. Many riders will be taking the roundabout at high speeds – riders should pay careful attention, hold their line, and stay safe.
The long and medium course will split after 43 kilometers of racing, the long course will continue to follow the road straight, while the medium course will keep left and will turn left twice at the next roundabouts and follow the same route back to Colonia. Riders will reach the next aid station after 60 kilometers of racing. It’s critical that riders stay hydrated in the warm temperatures of Uruguay, and with the hard and fast effort being put in on this course.
After 73 kilometers of racing the long course will turn around and return along the same route back to Colonia. Riders should remember the bridges and apply the same care and focus on all bridge crossings. Likewise, using the momentum from descents on the rolling hills will allow riders to save energy on the next hill. Working in groups will allow riders to share the burden of the wind as they work their way through the course, and back to Colonia for a well earned post race meal and celebration.
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