Community Corner
The Amgen Tour of California Competes With Mother’s Day
The Amgen Tour began on Sunday. The bike race will roll through Murrieta on Monday.
The start of the Amgen Tour of California was celebrated Sunday at Town Square Park. Hundreds braved the heat to partake in the festivities, which included a beer garden, petting zoo, jumpers, a 5K Walk for Hope in support of Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center and an array of vendors.
“We are excited to bring … special events to the city of Murrieta, especially when they are brand-new events the city has not experienced yet,” said Laura Frasso, special events coordinator for the city of Murrieta.
“This race is the largest we have had and we hope the residents are equally as excited to share their city with all the visitors the race will bring,” said Frasso.
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“I didn’t expect all this to be here,” said Jessica Sampson, 29, who came with friends to check out the festivities. “I didn’t really know what was going on, but this race is a big deal. It’s nice to have Murrieta part of it.”
The Amgen Tour of California is an eight-day, 750-mile professional bicycle race presented by AEG Sports, and for the first time in race history,Murrieta is serving as one of 12 host cities.
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The second stage of the Amgen Tour will leave from Town Square Park at approximately 10:20 a.m. on Monday. The race started in Escondido on Sunday and ends in Santa Rosa on May 19.
On Monday, cyclists will ride from Murrieta up into Idyllwild and down state Route 74 into the Coachella Valley to the base of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Festivities will begin at 7 a.m. Monday at Town Square Park with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Murrieta Firefighters Association. There is no charge to eat, but donations are accepted. There will also be fitness activities in the park, such as power boot camp and Tai Chi.
