Philadelphia Cycling Classic returning in 2026

the return of an iconic Philadelphia sporting event. The Philadelphia Cycling Classic set to hit the streets once again next year. It's been 10 years since it last took place. This afternoon, Mayor Charel Parker and former mayor Michael Nutter will officially make the announcement. Action News reporter Maggie Ken is joining us live at city hall with the exciting details. Something to look forward to, Maggie. Yes, I just got to speak with all of the partners who were involved in the yearslong effort to get the Philly Cycling Classic back onto the streets of Philadelphia, and we can remember it well. Those of us who have been here in the past, as you mentioned, it's been gone for 10 years, but now it will be back and better than ever. It'll still go through the Parkway and the streets of Logan. It'll still go through um parts of uh Chest, I'm sorry, not Chestnut Hill, parts of uh Fairmount Park. Manny Roxboro. It'll be a beautiful race. The Philadelphia Classic started in 1985 and had a successful run for 32 years until 2016. But then funding wavered and after 10 years, it's returning to Center City and through the hills of Manunk on August 30th, 2026. Much to the delight of bicyclists, business owners, neighbors. The Philadelphia Cycling Classic presented by Ameragas Race is coming back as we remember it. the start and the finish on the Parkway. Of course, hundreds of athletes will wind up the River Drive through the streets of Lower Manunk and then up the famous wall. The women's race will be a total of 62 miles on the 14.4 mile circuit with the men's race totaling about 120 miles. This is not only an induction of athletes, but fans and revelers coming to spend the time outdoors and spend money with food and drinks. Racere Partners is a force behind the race, a trio. Former mayor Michael Nutter, Eric Robbins, and Carlos Rogers. It's the people's race, and it really is. Everybody has memories of this race, and it's really important to them in Philadelphia. I'm really, really honored to be part of the team to bring it back. It's a neighborhood race. It's the people's race. To bring this incredible international race back uh to Philadelphia was just something I couldn't pass up and I had to be involved. This is more than just a bike race. It's it's an event. It's a coming together of people of of all colors, of all types, and it's an opportunity for people to engage while watching some of the top athletes in the world. So, this race importance really cannot be understated here. This is a national stage for Philadelphia and frankly for America. Um this is really really important to get people to come from other nations and of course come out in the neighborhoods to celebrate and enjoy together. And one big great announcement that we want to share with you is that 6abc is a proud broadcast sponsor of this event which means we will be there with our cameras. We will be broadcasting this live. It'll be up for streaming as well. So even if you can't make it to the race route, you will be able to watch this epic race come back. It is just truly iconic Philadelphia ladies. So, we are so excited for August 30th. I can't get here soon enough. Yeah. So exciting. The people's race. I like calling it that. It's great. And when they get to the wall, you're like, can they do it? Can they do it? Thank you, Maggie. Yeah, you can watch it on 6ABC. That's fantastic.