Colleen Gulick Wins 2023 W Pro Race
L to R 2-Laurel Rathbun 1-Colleen Gulick 3-Mary Joyce Monton
Photo by Steve Whitsitt
Gulick 2023 podium with Mayor Montgomery and Chevron's Jeff Wilson.
Women's cash prizes EXACTLY match men's!
Thank you, Chevron, for your commitment to gender equality
Thank you, sponsors and volunteers, for 60+ years of
support to the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.
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Overview
The 1.3 mile MBGP was started in 1962 by local cycling legend Ted Ernst, who was inducted into the Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2006. It is the oldest single-day race in the US to be held on the same course.
Ted, at 92, is still very active as a mentor in the racing community, and oversees the Kid's races each year. As the race has grown over the past 60+ years, it has developed a reputation for providing the highest-quality competition that benefits both the community and the athlete.
We feature a food court and a vendor's area where you may shop and purchase the latest in bicycle accessories, clothing, and various nutritionals. The MBGP provides racing for all levels of men and women USAC racers as well as a wide age range of community racers. Our race is one of the longest running bike races in America and draws contestants from six continents. It is also one of the more "technical" courses on the USA Cycling criterium calendar.
The MBGP draws about 3000 spectators and almost 1,000 racers. Many fields usually sell-out so online pre-registration is highly recommended. There is no longer Mail-in or Saturday course registration. The Race Flyer on the home page menu has more info.
The race course is considered to be challenging and technical. Shaped like a slightly bent "paperclip", the 1.3 mile course features two long straight-aways, two sweeping 180° turns, and 50' of climbing per lap. You can expect a headwind on the Valley side so breakaways are rarely successful. This race is about team tactics and setting up for the final long straight on Valley. A slight uphill near the end is deceiving and leaves many finishers gasping.
The MBGP is co-sponsored by the South Bay Wheelmen racing team and club (founded by Ted in 1961) and the South Bay Wheelmen Foundation, a 501c3 charitible organization supporting amateur cycling competition at all levels and continents. It has for many years been generously supported by Chevron who provide help to numerous communituy events in Manhattaan Beach. They developed the concept and reality of a Kid's Zone with several fun activites and popular gifts, a hit with the area's children and parents. The city of Manhattan Beach, a residential jewel on our coast provides facilities and personnel at all levels to make the race possible. The mayor and city council members frequently present podium awards to the winners and mix with spectators in enjoying the race.
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