Quillen students hosting bike race, community health event at Bristol Motor Speedway

JOHNSON CITY – Students from East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine are hosting The Quillen 100, a cycling relay and community health event, on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The event will include a 50-mile competitive relay and a 20-mile noncompetitive relay. Registration is now open for the relays, and all proceeds from these events will benefit the Tri-Cities American Heart Association.

The family-friendly Quillen 100 also will include a festival and health fair from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which will feature health screenings, food trucks, local vendors, and a Kid’s Fun Zone. In addition, youth from the region are invited to bring their bicycles and ride around the track for free at 10 a.m. before the relay races begin.

“We’re incredibly blessed to live in East Tennessee, with so many opportunities to be outside and active,” said Ryan Serbin, a 2nd-year Quillen student who helped organize the event. “Not only that but we have an internationally iconic racetrack right here in our backyard. We can’t think of a better way to promote a healthy lifestyle than by bringing the community together for a fun, fall day racing around the track at BMS and showcasing all the wonderful healthcare opportunities our region has to offer.”

The event is sponsored by Ballad Health and ETSU Health, which is the new outward-facing brand that encompasses the educational, clinical and research pursuits of the five colleges in ETSU’s academic health sciences center (AHSC).

“We are so thankful to have the support of Ballad Health and Bristol Motor Speedway in helping to make this event happen, said Michelle Kelley, a 2nd-year Quillen student who helped plan the event. “We are very excited to work with them and ETSU Health to promote heart healthy activity in the Tri-Cities. We can’t wait to join the community in cheering on our riders while supporting a great cause!”

Registration for the 20-mile relay is $30; the 50-mile relay is $40. Admission to the Infield Festival is free. To register for the races and/or the free youth ride, visit www.facebook.com/TheQuillen100.

To learn more about Quillen College of Medicine, visit www.etsu.edu/com.

Media contact
Melissa Nipper
nipperm@etsu.edu
423-439-4317