Barry-Roubaix
Barry-Roubaix is a classic-style road/off-road cycling race featuring a variety of terrain and surfaces to test cyclists of all skill levels. Named to the Global Cycling Network's Top Five Gravel Events and Nine Coolest Races of 2018, the event is known as the World's Largest Gravel Road Race.
The course is located in Barry County, Michigan near the Gun Lake Unit of Yankee Springs Recreation Area. Most years, Barry-Roubaix consists of rolling gravel roads, pavement, one mile of rough two-track, rocks, sand, mud, and possibly snow and ice, along with 2200 feet of climbing. The race features three distinct levels of competition corresponding to different race course distances. The Beginner/Intermediate riders complete a 22-mile course, the Expert riders complete a 36-mile course, and the Elite/Pro riders complete a 62-mile course. The name "Barry-Roubaix" was selected in a naming competition; it is a reference to the famous spring classic Paris–Roubaix one day professional cycling race held in France. Barry-Roubaix is held annually on the third Saturday in March unless Easter happens to fall on that weekend. Participants use a variety of bicycle types, depending on course conditions and individual preferences.
Results
Summary Results Table| Year | Finishers | Male Winner | Female Winner | Male Winner | Female Winner | Male Winner | Female Winner | Male Winner | Female Winner |
| 2019 | Michael Simonson | Cristine Thornburgh | Mat Stephens | Kae Takeshita | Jamison Sheppard | Summer Gilbert | Nate Van Belois | Kathy Braginton | |
| 2018 | Michael Simonson | Nan Doyal | Mat Stephens | Rachel Langdon | Tyler Weston | Christina Draijer | Hayden Fox | Robin Wooldridge | |
| 2017 | 1864 | Mat Stephens | Lily Williams | Joseph Martin | Marie Voss | Andrew Sics | Angie O'Brien | ||
| 2016 | 2677 | History2009Started in 2009, Barry-Roubaix's inaugural event staging took place at the historic Long Lake Outdoor Center, in Middleville, Michigan, a Barry County, Michigan community. On March 28, the 274 racers were treated to perfect conditions; cool and sunny weather prevailed.2010For 2010, the race start/finish location moved to the Gun Lake beach area at Yankee Springs Recreation Area to accommodate the anticipated growth in attendance. On race day, the Sheriff escorted the 673 racers through a controlled, neutral roll out of 2.5 miles. Racers faced sunny but cold conditions; the temperature at the time of the race start was only degrees, while a biting wind blew out of the southeast.2011The 2011 edition was held on March 26, in very cold conditions. Over 1000 participants started the race, but only 896 finished; 114 racers completed the 65 mile course ; 564 racers completed the 35 mile course ; and 218 racers completed the 23 mile course.2012In 2012, Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race served as the second of five events in the American UltraCx Championship Series. In the weeks leading up to the race, kolo t.c. riders previewed the course, sharing elevation profiles and tips for succeeding on challenging course sections including the Eye of the Tiger climb, Sager Road, and the Three Sisters.2013Consistent with the increase in popularity of gravel road racing in the United States, the 2013 event was moved again, this time to downtown Hastings, MI. The new start/finish area was well received by the City, local residents and racers. Registration for the fifth annual Barry-Roubaix: Killer Gravel Road Race increased by almost three-fold, to 2873 registered participants. An unexpected snowstorm created unusually harsh conditions, and the race course was altered at the last minute to avoid the treacherous Sager Road two-track section. Despite the course alteration, the race almost lived up its "Killer" name, as a participant collapsed on the course but was later revived by a medical team. The 2013 title sponsor was Founders Brewing.2014The 2014 edition was held on March 22; the event has been classified as the world's largest gravel road race with over 3000 participants.2015Media coverage leading up to the 7th annual Barry-Roubaix focused on a forecast for unseasonably cold temperatures, and anticipation of a large field size and podium payouts. In both the men's and women's 62 mile Open Category races, early breakaways defined the outcome of the day. 2008 Summer Paralympics Gold medalist Mackenzie Woodring took the 2015 Barry-Roubaix Women's Open trophy with a finish time more than five minutes faster than runner-up and 2015 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team United States Elite Women's Team Member, Crystal Anthony. This win marked Woodring's fourth Barry-Roubaix victory in seven attempts. In contrast, Men's Open Category 2015 Barry-Roubaix Champion, David Lombardo, established and held an early lead for most of the 62 mile race, but finished only 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Nathaniel Beams.2016In January 2016, 65 permanent road signs were installed in Barry County to mark the three Barry-Roubaix course routes for race participants and recreational cyclists who visit the area to train on the course year-round. The annual economic impact of the Barry-Roubaix event has grown to over US$500,000.The 2016 Barry-Roubaix was pushed back until April 16, 2016 to avoid a conflict with Easter. The later starting date presented riders with a new and virtually unheard of challenge for this race, heat. The average temperature for the 62 mile race was 70F which was a full 41 degrees warmer than the average temperature from previous year. Dry and dusty course conditions made for a fast race which took on the character of a road race with large pelotons staying together until the finish. The top four riders all had the same finishing time, with Rudyard Peterson winning the sprint at the line. The top nine riders came in within one second of one another. On the women's side, it was a different story with Rachel Langdon finishing almost 7 minutes ahead of Christine Thornburg with a time of 3:08:37. On 26 Jan 2017, the tourism and economic development impact of Barry-Roubaix was recognized as the event tied for The Destination Award, an annual award given by the Barry County, Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. 2017Held March 25, 2017, the 9th edition of Barry-Roubaix was one of eight events in the Michigan Gravel Race Series, a points series that debuted in 2017. The male winner of the 62 mile 'Killer' race was Mat Stephens, who edged out Mac Brennen and Ansel Dickey in a sprint for the finish line. The female winner of the 62 mile race was Lily Williams.2018The tenth anniversary edition of the Founders Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race was held 21 April 2018. To commemorate this anniversary, race organizers added a longer, more challenging race, such that four cycling races occurred simultaneously:
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