Published: August 16, 2009 06:28 pm      

Rotary’s 23rd Hot Rocks runs without a hitch

The 23rd Annual Hot Rocks Bike Ride went off as planned on Saturday with riders touring the Rockwall County countryside on courses of 10, 20, 43 and 57 miles.

Participants in all four races started and finished at the RISD Utley Middle School on T.L. Townsend with the 57-mile competitors traveling through Nevada, Josephine, Royse City, McLendon-Chisholm and Heath before heading back to the finish line.

Rockwall Rotary Club members and volunteers served drinks, ice and fruit at rest stops every 8-10 miles.

Start time was moved back to 7:30 a.m. for the first time to take advantage of cooler temperatures. Staged start waves were also implemented and construction-free courses set after last year's two multi-bike accidents during the race.

The Rockwall Cycling Club donated 24-ounce custom water bottles to the first 600 registrants and participants received a Hot Rocks T-Shirt and on-site meal.

The Rotary Club had its biggest pre-registration ever with over 500 early entries and it appeared 100s more also registered on race day. No final tally was immediately available.

Brett Crosby captured the Men's Division top prize of $250 with his victory in the 57-mile race, Jonny Sundt claimed $175 for his second-place finish and Chris Hipp Jr. finished in third place to earn the $100 prize.

Tracy Akerhielm won the Women's Division 57-mile race and collected the $250 top award, Laurn Robertson picked up the $175 second-place check and 6-time Hot Rocks winner Ginny King claimed the $100 third-place prize.

"The course was in great shape," said King. "The wind got really strong heading back to the finish line, especially for us in the lead pack with no-one to draft behind. But, all in all, I had a good ride until I started cramping up near the end."

Proceeds from the Annual Ride benefit the Rockwall Rotary Club Scholarship Fund and the event has raised well over $400,000 since the first Ride in 1987.

The date for the 24th Hot Rocks has been set for the second Saturday in August, on August 7, 2010.