Chris Thater Memorial Races: New Location and Times

After more than two decades being held in the area around Recreation Park in Binghamton, the Chris Thater Memorial Races will be moving to downtown Binghamton.

Christopher Thater was a 23 year-old cycling enthusiast and Binghamton University graduate student who was killed by a drunk driver on October 16, 1983. In 1984, the Broome County STOP-DWI Program started an annual bicycle race to remember Chris and to raise public awareness of substance abuse and traffic safety.

Each year, over 1,500 people participate in the Chris Thater Memorial with roughly 5,000 spectators.  The Chris Thater Memorial consists of the Pro, Elite and Novice cycling events, and a 5K Run as well as a large Expo area with vendor displays, full concession, entertainment, sports/health clinics, demonstrations and other youth sports and special events.

This year's Chris Thater Memorial Races will be held August 23rd-24th and according to WBNG, the cycling course will start at the intersection of Court and State street and the new loop will be a little bit shorter than the previous route at Recreation Park.  Another big change for the athletes and the spectators is that most of the races will be held at night. The races are moving to a twilight format which means the main cycling events and the 5k race will start on Saturday, August 23rd at 6 pm.