All former Little 500 race champions will get into this year’s races free.
That includes the Wilkie Sprint, which won the first ever women’s race in 1988.
“[What’s] great is that the traditions have continued and that the ladies are just continuing on to do great things and push the boundaries of how fast they can go and compete, with a desire to win this race,” said Kirsten Swanson, one of the members of Willkie Sprint in 1988.
Swanson is reuniting with former teammates Louise Elder and Kerry Hellmuth, as well as former coach Kevin Wentz and assistant coach Kristin McArdle, at this year’s event.
The former champions said it was special to come together again after their win 35 years ago.
“It's a pleasure and a joy to have gotten back together with my former teammates and coaches,” Elder said. “And I feel like it's a great message for other women, female riders, that we are being honored this way.”
Up to 33 men’s and women’s team will compete for the Borg-Warner Trophy. Billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” the Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States.
The women’s 35th 500 Race begins at 5 p.m. today at IU’s Bill Armstrong Stadium. The race will be 100 laps around the track, covering 25 miles.
The men’s 72nd 500 Race takes place at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The men’s race will be 200 laps and cover 50 miles. Each team can have up to four riders.
