Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Miami-Coral Gables to donate to First Gen scholarships

Posted by × 11/01/2012 at 2:50 pm

Members of the FIU family are given multiple ways throughout the year to support the university’s First Generation Scholarship Program, but a new opportunity promises to be the most fun — and healthiest — one created thus far: the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Miami-Coral Gables cycling event. Race organizers have committed to donating a portion of every entry fee to the program.

Members of the FIU family are being offered a discount off the entry fee. Students can ride for $75 and faculty, staff and alumni can ride for $110 (a $10 discount). To register to ride, click here. Students: Be sure to scroll down and click on “Collegiate Student” to get your $75 rate. For all others: Fill out the online registration form; at the end  you will have the opportunity to put in the “FIU10” promo code to get the discount. The deadline to register online and receive a discount is Tuesday, Nov. 6. After that, registration must be done on-site at the expo on Saturday, and there will be no discount.

 The race on Sunday, Nov. 11, combines the best of a gran fondo, Italian for “big ride,” and Italy’s Giro d’Italia, the world’s second biggest professional bicycle race in the world. Beginning in Coral Gables on Miracle Mile, the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Miami-Coral Gables will offer riders a choice of three courses/distances: a 25-mile ride, a 54-mile ride, or a 101-mile ride. All of the cyclists will begin together, in a mass start. The race will also feature sections of roads closed to traffic, support on the road (professional course marking, technical support, well-stocked aid stations), a dramatic finish area, multiple days of expo, and a festive atmosphere featuring Italian culture and food following the ride.

Participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists, and riders of all abilities are welcomed.

The collaboration is the brainchild of alumnus Manny Miranda, a member of the President’s Council and an avid cyclist.

“I married two of my passions together,” says Miranda. “When I received the announcement about this year’s event, I reached out to them. I mentioned what a great fit it would be for a school that has a world vision to partner with Gran Fondo. They’re as thrilled as we are to partner together.” FIU students will serve as volunteers at the event.

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