{{Short description|Long distance one-day amateur bicycle road race}} {{Notability|date=September 2023}} thumb|Starting line, 2007 LOTOJA The '''LoToJa Classic''' is a long distance one-day amateur bicycle road race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY, USA. It is held in September on the first Saturday after Labor Day.
== History == LoToJa was started in 1983 by two Logan cyclists, David Bern, a student at Utah State University, and Jeff Keller, the owner of Sunrise Cyclery.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-10 |title=Logan to Jackson — Cyclists eager to tackle grueling LOTOJA Classic |url=https://www.deseret.com/2007/9/6/20039361/logan-to-jackson-151-cyclists-eager-to-tackle-grueling-lotoja-classic/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> The two men wanted a race that resembled the difficulty of a one-day European classic like Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders. LoToJa's first year featured nine cyclists racing 192 miles from Logan to a finish line in Jackson's town square. The winning time was just over nine hours by Bob VanSlyke.<ref>http://www.lotojaclassic.com/ Official LOTOJA Website</ref><ref name=":1" />
===2006 === Kirk Eck was won the 2006 LOTOJA Classic with a 9:16:56 time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Plothow |first=Brad |date=2006-09-10 |title=Eck by a blink, unofficially |url=https://www.hjnews.com/sports/eck-by-a-blink-unofficially/article_06a9dac9-e1d1-572a-92de-8004273817ea.html |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=The Herald Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LoToJa - 2006 Results |url=https://lotoja.com/race/Results/2006 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=lotoja.com}}</ref> This was his second win.<ref name=":0" />
=== 2007 === The 2007 race included roughly 1,400 people from 40 different states in the United States. The fastest time in the 2007 edition of the race was posted by Mark Zimbelman, a resident of Provo, Utah, who won the masters 45+ category.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |date=2007 |title=Hoffman, Halladay win 25th Anniversary LoToJa Classic But Zimbelman really wins the day with new course record |url=https://www.cyclingwest.com/oct/FallWinter2007Issue.pdf |journal=Cycling Utah |volume=15 |issue=8}}</ref> His time of 9:06:44 was also good for a course record with Mark Schaefer finishing less than a wheel length behind.<ref name=":2" /> Schaefer and Zimbelman led the race alone for the last {{convert|100|mi|km}}. The winner of the Men's Pro Category 1 and 2 race was Cameron Hoffman of Clearfield, Utah with a time of 9:24:18.<ref name=":2" />
=== 2009 === Zimbelman's course record held during 2008 but was beaten in the 2009 race by Cameron Hoffman of Clearfield, Utah with a time of 9:02:52.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-06 |title=Clearfield cyclist gets 3rd LOTOJA win, sets record |url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/9/17/20340832/clearfield-cyclist-gets-3rd-lotoja-win-sets-record/ |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> This was Hoffman's third year in a row winning the Men's Pro Category 1,2,3 race. Hoffman, David Francis of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Robert Lofgran of Salt Lake City, Utah had to chase racer Dave Botchek (Colorado Springs CO) who had been out in front 190 miles before being caught due to a puncture 13 miles from the finish. Dave Botchek had previously won the event in the 90's. They finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively with less than a second between Hoffman and Francis and Lofgran finishing about five seconds later.<ref name=":3" />
=== 2010 === Cameron Hoffman's 2009 course record time of 9:02:52<ref>http://results.milliseconds.com/participants/final_list/overall/142094</ref> was broken in 2010 by Alfred Thresher with a time of 9:01:44.<ref>http://results.milliseconds.com/participants/final_list/overall/143578</ref>
=== 2012 === Rob Verhaaren crashed and died during the final stages of the race in Wyoming. <ref>http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=22068813 KSL News story</ref>
A new LOTOJA course record was set by Leon Bergant from Slovenia, with the time of 8:57:19. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765604452/5-questions-with-LOTOJA-Classic-winner-Leon-Bergant.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129223636/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765604452/5-questions-with-LOTOJA-Classic-winner-Leon-Bergant.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2014|title=5 questions with LOTOJA Classic winner Leon Bergant|website=Deseret News |date=15 September 2012}}</ref>
=== 2017 === Kai Applequist from Boise, Idaho set the new record in the men's division in 2017 with a time of 8:42:31.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Shawn |date=2017-09-09 |title=Eck shines again at LoToJa |url=https://www.hjnews.com/allaccess/eck-shines-again-at-lotoja/article_6fbd3846-1530-5853-856b-00c5f5757497.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Herald Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
=== 2018 === The current course record was set in 2018 by Spencer Johnson, of Riverton, Utah, with a time of 8:18:29.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Bern |first=David |date=2019-04-08 |title=Spencer Johnson Wins LoToJa, Shatters Men's Course Record; Lindsey Stevenson Takes Second Straight Win |url=https://www.cyclingwest.com/racing/road-racing/spencer-johnson-wins-lotoja-shatters-mens-course-record-lindsey-stevenson-takes-second-straight-win/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Cycling West - Cycling Utah |language=en-US}}</ref> The women’s course record, 9:35:00, set in 2013, is held by Melinda MacFarlane from Salt Lake City, Utah.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=Challenging 206-mile LoToJa Classic has cyclists of all ages excited for Saturday's race |url=https://www.deseret.com/2015/9/11/20572059/challenging-206-mile-lotoja-classic-has-cyclists-of-all-ages-excited-for-saturday-s-race/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2023 === Over 1,500 cyclists participated in the 2023 race.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Bern |first=David |date=2023-09-05 |title=41st annual LoToJa Classic will roll on September 9, 2023 |url=https://www.cyclingwest.com/racing/road-racing/lotoja-classic/41st-annual-lotoja-classic-will-roll-on-september-9-2023/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Cycling West - Cycling Utah |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Leverone |first=Kyle |date=2023-09-13 |title=After 203 miles, 2 agonizing steps up |url=https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/sports/features/after-203-miles-2-agonizing-steps-up/article_3a2c2790-50dd-11ee-aa89-d755d6f72df9.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Jackson Hole News&Guide |language=en}}</ref>
== Course == The race starts at the Sunrise Cyclery in Logan, Utah and heads north into southeastern Idaho and winds across western Wyoming.<ref name=":5" /> The finish line is near the base of the Grand Teton at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (at Teton Village), one of America's ski destinations.<ref name=":5" /> Along the {{convert|203|mi|km|0|sing=on|lk=on}} course<ref name=":5" /> are three mountain passes, plus hilly to rolling terrain that results in more than {{convert|7000|ft|m|abbr=off|lk=on}} of climbing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elevation from LoToJa Race on Map My Ride|url=http://www.mapmyride.com/us/logan-ut/lotoja-route-with-elevation-profile-route-20606918|website=www.mapmyride.com|accessdate=2 September 2014}}</ref>
== Notable winners == * Levi Leipheimer (Team RadioShack){{What year?|date=May 2024}}{{Needs citation|date=May 2024}} * Marty Jemison (U.S. Postal), 1997<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=David |date=1997-10-01 |title=Jemison Battles Elements to Claim Solo 1997 LoToJa Win |url=https://www.cyclingwest.com/racing/road-racing/lotoja-classic/jemison-battles-elements-to-claim-solo-1997-lotoja-win/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Cycling West - Cycling Utah |language=en-US}}</ref> * Scott Moninger, 1996<ref name=":4" /> * John Frey{{What year?|date=May 2024}}<ref name=":4" /> * Alison Tetrick, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bern |first=David |date=2019-09-08 |title=Tetrick and Arnell win 37th annual LoToJa |url=https://www.cyclingwest.com/racing/road-racing/tetrick-and-arnell-win-37th-annual-lotoja/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Cycling West - Cycling Utah |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Arnell, Tetrick prevail at 37th annual LoToJa Classic |url=https://www.deseret.com/2019/9/8/20856308/roger-arnell-win-the-37th-annual-lotoja-classic/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref>
== Charitable fundraising == LoToJa is a fund-raiser for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, Autism Spectrum Disorder Connections and other medical research foundations. By 2014, the LoToJa organizer, Epic Events had raised over US$250,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.<ref>http://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/giving/huntsman-cancer-foundation/?pid=357 Page 5 of 2014 Cumulative Giving Report</ref> As of 2023, over $2.7 million has been raised through sponsors and cyclists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boam |first=Rod |date=7 September 2023 |title=LoToJa will bring in 1,400 cyclists and thousands of supporters for this Saturday's race |url=https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/lotoja-will-bring-in-1-400-cyclists-and-thousands-of-supporters-for-this-saturday-s/article_3ff54ba3-63be-562e-ac84-d3d53a7e2b46.html |access-date=30 May 2024 |website=Cache Valley Daily}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
== Past winners == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Men ! !Women ! ! |- |2020 |{{Flag athlete|Cameron Hoffman|USA}} |9:02:48 |{{Flag athlete|Amy Heaton|USA}} |10:02:16 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=LoToJa - 2020 Results |url=https://lotoja.com/race/Results/2020 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=lotoja.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Cameron Hoffman wins the 38th Annual LoToJa Classic |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2020/9/13/21434934/cameron-hoffman-wins-the-38th-annual-lotoja-classic/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> |- |2021 |{{Flag athlete|Nathan Spratt|USA}} |8:31:18 |{{Flag athlete|Melissa Aitken|USA}} |9:44:15 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=LoToJa - 2021 Results |url=https://lotoja.com/race/results/2021 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=lotoja.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Nathan Spratt, AileenPannecoucke win 39th-annual cycling race |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2021/9/12/22671025/lotoja-classic-was-won-by-nathan-spratt-aileen-pannecoucke-logan-utah-jackson-hole-wyoming/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> |- |2022 |{{Flag athlete|John Borstelmann|USA}} |8:41:43 |{{Flag athlete|Aileen Pannecoucke|USA}} |9:58:00 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=LoToJa - 2022 Results |url=https://lotoja.com/race/Results/2022 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=lotoja.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=LoToJa crowns new winners in 40th annual bike race |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2022/9/12/23348824/lotoja-crowns-new-winners-in-40th-annual-bike-race/ |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> |- |2023 |{{Flag athlete|Seth Steed|USA}} |8:42:53 |{{Flag athlete|Elizabeth Edwards|USA}} |9:57:07 |<ref name=":7" /> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.lotojaclassic.com/ LOTOJA Website]
Category:Cycle races in the United States Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1983 Category:1983 establishments in Utah Category:1983 establishments in Wyoming Category:Road bicycle races Category:Sports competitions in Utah Category:Sports competitions in Wyoming