Organizer
Wilmington Grand Prix
Location
Monkey Hill
1080 N Park Drive
Wilmington, DE 19802
Cost
$20
Size
Mid
About the Race
A 3.2-mile, rolling course with a series of tight turns through Wilmington’s iconic Brandywine Park. The course concludes with a challenging climb up the Monkey Hill Cobblestones, first made famous by the Tour DuPont. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of crowd with cowbells lining the climb to pull you up the hill.
Monkey Hill
1080 N Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802
I participated in the Women’s Cat III-IV group. Shaun and I did a pre-ride a couple days before. That cobblestone hill is a killer! It’s especially hard going down on it, though going up is no joke either. It’s a short ride but you still give it all you have, so it’s still extremely challenging! It was threatening to rain the entire time, so we were all worried about slick cobbles as well. The spectators cheer you up on the entire hill. It’s such an adrenaline rush.
I somehow got 1st place on this race. Unfortunately I missed hearing my name being called for the podium. However, emotions swept through me as I stared at the check I was holding in my hands. It was the first time winning any kind of money in this sport that I so dearly love. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. I was told my whole life that sports wasn’t the path for me, and here I was, with my winnings…from a sport! It was an incredible moment.
Post-race was fun as Shaun and I mingled with friends and family and enjoyed a couple beers in the beer tent though they shortly ran out. Afterwards, we continued celebrations at Trolley Square Oyster House.