Featured Image of the Easton Twilight Criterium provided courtesy of Discover Lehigh Valley(photo credit Adam Hoff)

EASTON, Pa. – May, 27th, Easton’s downtown streets were flooded with spectators and riders from the 2023 Easton Twilight Criterium presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network (eastontwilightcrit.com). This FREE event brought together some of the fastest professional cyclists and amateur riders in the world right to Easton’s Centre Square. All day long participants in the races ignited high-speed energy throughout the crowds. 

 During the day, residents and onlookers gathered to enjoy family-friendly fun and activities as they explored Easton’s shops and boutiques.  Attractions surround the course, engaging the coming to fan-favorite Skeggy’s Axe Throwing in Centre Square. By twilight, patrons made their way to one of the many celebrated restaurants that lined the race route to watch the professional men and women racers whiz by! 

Before the competitive races set off, less technical recreation kicked off the day with the Community Ride presented by Crayola. The day then moved on to Junior, Masters, Amateur races, and  a one-mile footrace ‘Dash for Cash’, introducing new sporting participants to the event, and a wheelie competition that left  audiences cheering for local bike life participants. 

Most patrons took the opportunity of the outdoor atmosphere and easy track to follow the professional racers along their ride and watch them maneuver through a course of straight-aways, turns, all while reaching excess speeds of over 40 mph! 

All observers remained protected from the racers’ speed with the help of the city’s Marshals, volunteers, and strategic fencing and designated crosswalk placement to ensure safety for all. 

Since the event organizers updated the finish-line for 2023 to Northampton Street, providing more of a slight uphill finish to change the race dynamics and bring more of the action to Easton’s iconic Centre Square, the cheers echoed through the side streets and pulsated from the seats of the community’s beloved dining spots and local businesses. 

New PA State Champions were crowned, and the pro Men’s and Women’s races awarded over $5,000 in cash prizes to the reigning winners! 

Professional Women’s Champion, Stephanie Halamek took the top spot on the leadership board as she was bestowed the grand trophy for the women’s race. While Matthew Graham-O’Regan snatched supreme placement as the big winner of the Professional Men’s race, closing out the event!
This night ignites the summer season on our Easton streets as fast as these champions cross the finish-line!