Tour de 'Toona Dates Scheduled
By: Angie Koehle
Updated: May 5, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - It appears the economy couldn't put the brakes on Tour de 'Toona for good. Organizers said they are moving forward with plans to hold the annual race again in August, after taking a year off.
"The delay of a year was a blessing in disguise because we had time to do these things," media director Bob Leverknight said.
Leverknight said they needed the time to get back sponsors and find new ones, and they didn't want to go into it half-heartedly.
" We had sponsors that pulled out because of the economic downturn. We always wanted to have a race," race promoter Rick Geist said. "We think its great for the community. It brings a lot of people into Blair County and they leave their money behind and that's what we like."
Organizers say the plan this year is to showcase professional women racers. Though the week-long race features women. Men and amateurs will be included in the last 3 days.
"We'll feature pro women and if everything goes right ,we'll bring the pro men back in . Right now this is going to be a very large women's race if we can pull it off," Geist said.
The race is scheduled for August 23rd through the 29th. Organizers hope to have a mountain top finish at Blue Knob.
"The delay of a year was a blessing in disguise because we had time to do these things," media director Bob Leverknight said.
Leverknight said they needed the time to get back sponsors and find new ones, and they didn't want to go into it half-heartedly.
" We had sponsors that pulled out because of the economic downturn. We always wanted to have a race," race promoter Rick Geist said. "We think its great for the community. It brings a lot of people into Blair County and they leave their money behind and that's what we like."
Organizers say the plan this year is to showcase professional women racers. Though the week-long race features women. Men and amateurs will be included in the last 3 days.
"We'll feature pro women and if everything goes right ,we'll bring the pro men back in . Right now this is going to be a very large women's race if we can pull it off," Geist said.
The race is scheduled for August 23rd through the 29th. Organizers hope to have a mountain top finish at Blue Knob.
