Cycling fanatics from across the region will descend upon downtown Ardmore next month to watch as some of the sport’s top athletes race through town. The new and expanded emergency department at Lankenau Medical Center is proud to present the 2018 Main Line Bike Race sponsored by Independence Blue Cross, Sunday, Aug. 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit Narberth Ambulance, to support its mission to purchase state-of-the-art equipment that helps save lives in the Lower Merion, Narberth, Haverford, Conshohocken and West Conshohocken communities, according to a press release.

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The criterium-style competition will take place on a 1-mile loop through Ardmore’s business district along Lancaster and Ardmore avenues, School Lane, Cricket and East Athens avenues and Rittenhouse Place. Fans will get an up close and personal view of all the cycling excitement, as the competitors pedal dozens of laps around the course right in front of them.

During breaks in the action, there will be plenty to see and do, especially for fans with young children. There will be two children’s bike races, happening at 1:10 p.m. for ages four to six and 1:30 p.m. for ages seven to nine.

Parents will also find a children’s activity area, which includes a moon bounce and mini-golf. Fans can enjoy live music at Ardmore Music Hall and check out the car show, featuring over 75 classic cars in Rittenhouse Place. Local food vendors and a beer garden operated by Iron Hill Brewery will also be available.

Cyclists and fans are encouraged to bring canned goods and nonperishable items to donate to the food drive benefiting local nonprofit organizations.

Protecting the community and improving the health of residents is the mission of both Narberth Ambulance and the 2018 Main Line Bike Race’s title and presenting sponsors, Independence Blue Cross and Main Line Health, respectively.

“At Independence, we are passionate about promoting activities that improve the health and well-being of the communities we have served for 80 years,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Independence Blue Cross President and CEO. “That’s why we are proud to support the Main Line Bike Race, which inspires so many people to be active and to find what we like to call their ‘Fearless Fit.’”

“We proudly support our community partner, Narberth Ambulance,” said Phillip D. Robinson, President, Lankenau Medical Center. “Working together, we are committed to the health and well-being of the Main Line community. This is especially true as Lankenau completes the first phase of the new and expanded emergency department and trauma center. This construction project, as well as our partnership with Narberth Ambulance, will ensure that superior patient care continues to be available to our community whenever it is needed.”

Other sponsors and partnerships of the event include the Ardmore Business Association, Ardmore Initiative, Aqua America, Bryn Mawr Trust, Lower Merion Township, Lower Merion Township Police, SERVPRO, Trek Bikes, Axum Advisors, White and Williams LLP, Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, Lower Merion Township, Lower Merion Township Police.

Online race registration is due by Friday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. To register or for more information, visit www.MainLineBikeRace.com.

About Narberth Ambulance

Narberth Ambulance is a nonprofit organization committed to providing excellent pre-hospital care and medical transportation to the 145,000 community members living in Lower Merion, Narberth, Haverford, Conshohocken and West Conshohocken. In 2017, Narberth Ambulance responded to 9,973 calls for emergency medical and advanced life-saving support services. To learn more about Narberth Ambulance, visit narberthambulance.org.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is the leading health insurance organization in southeastern Pennsylvania. With our affiliates, we serve nearly 8.5 million people in 28 states and the District of Columbia, including 2.5 million in the region. For 80 years, we have been enhancing the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve by delivering innovative and competitively priced health care products and services; pioneering new ways to reward doctors, hospitals, and other health care professionals for coordinated, quality care; and supporting programs and events that promote wellness. To learn more, visit www.ibx.com. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

About Main Line Health

Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving the Philadelphia region. Main Line Health’s commitment—to deliver advanced medicine to treat and cure disease while also playing an important role in prevention and disease management as well as training physicians and other health care providers—reflects our intent to keep our community and ourselves well ahead. A team of more than 10,000 employees and 2,000 physicians care for patients throughout the Main Line Health system.

At Main Line Health’s core are four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals—Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital—as well as Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. To learn more, visit mainlinehealth.org.

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