Life Time Announces $10,000 in Winnings for Chequamegon MTB Festival

Winners of the 2021 Chequamegon (sheh-wah-meh-gun) MTB Festival presented by Trek will receive a combined total of $10,000 in prize purse winnings this September.

The festival, which was founded in 1983 with only 27 riders in its inaugural year, is owned and produced by Life Time and takes place in the towns of Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin. It has grown to become a favorite autumn race by thousands of cyclists from all over the country while maintaining its grassroots vibe.

First place male and female winners will receive $2,500, with $1,000 to the second, $750 to the third, $500 to the fourth and $250 to the fifth.

Cyclists vying for a spot on the podium must register for the Pro/Elite category to be eligible for the cash winnings. Unique to the Chequamegon MTB Festival is a staggered start time for the elite and mass groups: By starting the pros after mass cyclists, a larger crowd of spectators—including the majority of participating athletes—are able to cheer on the pros as they battle it out at the finish.

“After a year off in 2020, we know riders are anxious to toe the line at events again and we’re pumped to welcome everyone back to Chequamegon this fall,” said Peter Spencer, race director, Life Time. “As the event grows year-after-year, one of the most rewarding aspects is providing participants and their families with an unforgettable experience. From the minute they arrive into town on Friday, they’re greeted by live music, a beer garden and a welcoming atmosphere that invites them to kick back and get excited for their race.”

The festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 17, with the Little Loggers kids bike event for off-road bikers-in-training. The event offers a continuous 15-minute looped course that introduces kids to off-road biking basics. A 16-mile short and fat distance and signature Chequamegon 40 take place Saturday, Sept. 18. Both courses take riders along the famed Birkie Ski trail, forest roads and ATV routes deep in the Northwestern Wisconsin woods.

Professional and elite cyclists interested in competing may contact Peter Spencer at pspencer@lt.life.

Registration for the Chequamegon MTB Festival is open. To learn more and to register, visit www.cheqmtb.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about Life Time Athletic Events, visit www.lifetime.life/athleticevents and for more information about Life Time, visit www.news.lifetime.life.