TSC, City of Brownsville and Mexican Consulate to co-host Raúl Alcalá Gran Fondo/Challenge on Aug. 23 |
 From left, Mexico Deputy Consul Sergio E. Jacobo Patiño, City of Brownsville Public Health Director Arturo Rodríguez, TSC President Lily F. Tercero, Ph.D., Raúl Alcalá, Mercedes Alcalá, City of Brownsville Police Chief Orlando Rodríguez, City of Brownsville Wellness Manager Kendra Stine during the news conference on Aug. 12, 2015 at the TSC ITECC in Brownsville. Texas Southmost College (TSC), in partnership with the City of Brownsville and the Mexican Consulate in Brownsville, will co-host the Raúl Alcalá Gran Fondo/Challenge Bike Ride on Aug. 23, 2015 at 7 a.m. at the college's International Technology, Education, and Commerce Center (ITECC), located at 301 Mexico Blvd. in Brownsville. Founded by former Mexican Olympian and first the Mexican to compete in the Tour de France, professional cyclist Raúl Alcalá and his wife, Mercedes Martínez, the Gran Fondo/Challenge Bike Ride is a mass cycling event with cyclists riding together in a "peloton," much like the Tour de France. "The Raúl Alcalá [Gran Fondo] Challenge began as a way to promote the awareness of bikes in the streets, and the respect between pedestrians, riders and drivers," said Alcalá. "It was also started as a means to encourage healthy living through the sport of cycling and as a mode of transportation." The Raúl Alcalá Gran Fondo/Challenge route will begin at the TSC ITECC in Brownsville and will tour the neighboring cities and towns of Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Laguna Vista, Bayview, San Benito and Rancho Viejo. "Texas Southmost College is proud to partner with the City of Brownsville and the Mexican Consulate in Brownsville, and to be a part of this wonderful event for the community," said TSC President Lily F. Tercero, Ph.D. "We're looking forward to hosting this great event on August 23 and invite the community to join us in this wellness effort." The Gran Fondo is the longer, 100-mile route, and the Challenge is the 60-mile route. The cost to ride in either route is $60. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (BARCC) and United Way of Southern Cameron County. Registration for the Gran Fondo/Challenge will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, at the ITECC, where participants will receive a free bike jersey that must be used on the day of the Gran Fondo/Challenge. Upon completion of the Gran Fondo/Challenge, participants will also receive a medal. For more information about the Raúl Alcalá Gran Fondo/Challenge, please contact: Fernándo Martínez at (512) 810-8179 or Kendra Stine at (956) 547-6531. About Texas Southmost College |