Burke Swindlehurst’s Crusher in the Tushar returning for 2012
Burke Swindlehurst is bringing his Crusher in the Tushar adventure race back in 2012 for a second helping of on- and off-road racing.
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Former pro Burke Swindlehurst will be crushing Utah’s Tushar Mountains once again in 2012 when his Southern Utah dirt/road event returns for a second edition.
The Crusher in the Tushar will run a 69-mile route from Beaver to Eagle Point ski area on July 14 and include a mix of dirt and paved roads. The inaugural edition drew 200 riders, including Olympic champion Clara Hughes, mountain bike legend Tinker Juarez and multiple-time U.S. cyclocross champ Tim Johnson.
Hughes and Tyler Wren won the pro women and men’s categories, respectively.
According to Swindlehurst, the race’s first-year success attracted the Beaver County Travel Council as a new title sponsor.
“It was hugely satisfying to see the race come off the way it did and particularly how much the local community embraced the event,” said Swindlehurst. “The Beaver County Travel Council came to me afterwards and said they wanted to play an even larger role for 2012. As a result, the event now has a title sponsor and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Registration for the 2012 race opens January 11 at 7 p.m. MST, with this year’s competitors enjoying an early sign-up window.
The Crusher in the Tushar is among a growing trend of adventure/endurance races run on road and off. Events like the Dirty Kanza 200 and Tour of the Battenkill are seeing greater participation and Swindlehurst expects his event to expand next year.
“In anticipation of a quick sell-out of the limited number of spots (350) available for the 2012 Crusher, I want to show my gratitude to those who supported the event in its first year by giving them a jump on registration,” said Swindlehurst. “I like to take care of those who take care of me.”