The Park City Point 2 Point (PCP2P) returns to the Wasatch Back for the fourth year in a row this Labor Day Weekend on Saturday, September 1. As the premier endurance event of the West, the PCP2P is the only sanctioned National Ultra Endurance Series with a distance shorter than 100 miles. Featuring thigh-busting climbs and continuous singletrack, 350 cyclists are anticipating the 2012 PCP2P, which sold out in a record-breaking 3 minutes and 17 seconds.
The PCP2P is known among bikers as one of the most challenging true point-to-point races in the country. The 2012 course travels nearly 80 miles and climbs roughly 14,000’ through the Wasatch Mountains without crossing, or using, the same trail twice. The course cuts through the area’s three ski resorts, including Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, and will finish in the Forum at Canyons Resort. The course is 90% singletrack and there are very few sections for resting, three-time defending PCP2P champion Alex Grant admits the race is “harder than any 100 miler that I have done because of the amount of singletrack and climbing. It requires focus during the entire race, and your body never gets a break. That said, it’s a super fun course and one that any mountain biker that claims to like ‘epic’ rides should aim to complete.”
Joining Grant are pro endurance junkies, Josh Tostado, Bryson Perry (two-time Leadville 100 winner), Ben Sonntag (LaRuta champ), Pua Mata, Amanda Carey and Jennifer Smith.
The event has also gained the interest of major brands, including Scott Sports, the new title sponsor of the race. “Partnering with Scott was an easy decision, their bikes, like the Spark 29, show a commitment to endurance riding and racing, that’s what we were looking for in an event partner. They’re just a perfect fit,” said Burke. “Scott is also making a push in our community by teaming up with Jan’s Mountain Outfitters, we wanted to work with a brand that’s building a strong presence here in Park City, a brand that’s going to be around a while.”
The 350 slots for Park City’s only endurance mountain bike race filled up in 3 minutes and 17 seconds during registration in February, compared to 6 minutes in 2011. A $14,000 cash purse will be divided equally among the top five men and women racers in the Open Male and Open Female divisions, plus a payout to the top rider in each age group.
For more information on the PCP2P visit www.thepcpp.com.