U.S. and international cyclists to race 200-plus miles from Logan, Utah, to Jackson, Wyoming
LAYTON, UTAH (August 27, 2025) — The Grand Teton will again be a welcome sight for cyclists after they’ve ridden more than 200 miles to Wyoming’s Jackson Hole in the 43rd annual LoToJa Classic.
On Sept. 6, approximately 1,300 U.S. and international racers and cyclosportive riders will depart Sunrise Cyclery in Logan, Utah, and pedal north for up to 207 miles to the finish line at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
LoToJa is one of America’s most popular and enduring bicycle events. Since its start in 1983, more than 22,000cyclists have experienced its demanding flat, hilly and mountainous course.
“LoToJa continues to attract thousands of racers and enthusiasts,” race director Brent Chambers said. “It’s a long, tough day in the saddle, with most cyclists pushed beyond their physical and mental limits. To finish is always an incredible achievement, whether you’re a racer or riding just for fun.”
The fastest racers reach the ski resort by early afternoon. The current men’s record is 8:18:29 and the women’s is 9:35:00. Most cyclists take 10 to 13 hours to complete the course.
Winners take home cash and/or merchandise, and commemorative medals go to all who finish. But for many cyclists the day’s biggest reward is crossing the finish line in panoramic Jackson Hole.
Entrants include USA Cycling licensed racers, who compete in specific age and experience categories, and unlicensed cyclists who ride the non-competitive cyclosportive. Racers cover 202.3 miles, cyclosportive riders 207.3 miles, and relay teams 207.9 miles.
In all there are 23 separate categories that will depart from Sunrise Cyclery in four-minute intervals beginning at 5:30 a.m. On average each category will feature 40-50 riders.
The course passes through northeastern Utah’s Logan and Cache Valley, southeastern Idaho’s Preston and Montpelier, and western Wyoming’s Star Valley and Snake River Canyon. Prominent challenges include three mountain passes that total 35 miles and almost 10,000 vertical feet of climbing.
LoToJa is recognized as the longest, one-day USA Cycling sanctioned road race in America. It is also one of the oldest consecutively held in the country.
Prestige and longevity are benefits from LoToJa’s popularity. Several thousand riders register online every April, but less than 2,000 are accepted for on-course safety. This year there are cyclists coming from 39 states, plus Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and the Czech Republic.
LoToJa’s focus on fundraising is also a force behind its acclaim. The event is a major fundraiser for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in Salt Lake City and other health-related organizations. Over the years nearly $3 million have been contributed to Huntsman alone by cyclists and sponsors.
LoToJa was founded in 1983 by two Logan cyclists. They wanted to create a tough, one-day road race like European professional cycling’s Paris-Roubaix and Ronde van Vlaanderen. Logan-Jackson was born and given the acronym, LoToJa.
In that first year, seven cyclists competed and crossed the finish line near downtown Jackson. The winner was Bob VanSlyke of Logan who finished the 186-mile course in nine hours. The race’s distance increased to more than 200 miles when the finish line was moved to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in 1986.
Since then, LoToJa has grown to feature multiple categories for USAC license holders, plus non-licensed cyclosportive cyclists, who are either competing against riders within their age group, or are riding just for fun. There are also multiple categories for tandem riders and relay teams.
Safety for LoToJa’s participants is a priority, Chambers said. On race day the Idaho Transportation Department will restrict eastbound vehicle traffic on state Route 36 north of Preston between Riverdale and Ovid from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastbound traffic on US-89 between Montpelier and the Wyoming state line will also be restricted from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Except for those two travel restrictions, LoToJa is held on an open course with traffic. Motorists who are traveling on race day are asked to approach and pass cyclists cautiously.
Chambers defined cautious passing as “slowing down and giving at least three feet of space between the vehicle and cyclists.” Motorists are also urged “to patiently wait for oncoming vehicle traffic to clear before pulling around a cyclist or group of cyclists.”
LoToJa’s host cities of Logan and Jackson receive an economic boost from cyclists, support crews, event staff, volunteers and well-wishers. The total entourage is an estimated 4,000 people. Hotels and restaurants are the biggest benefactors.
Chambers emphasized that LoToJa is only made possible thanks to its 600-plus volunteers, and help from community businesses, civic leaders and public safety officials. There are also 120 HAM radio volunteers from the Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club. The club provides uninterrupted communication for event staff and cyclist safety from Logan to Jackson.
“This year’s LoToJa is all set and I look forward to seeing riders dig deep to reach the finish,” Chambers said, who has organized the race since 1998. “To watch riders overcome the adversity of 200-plus miles and 10,000 feet of climbing always fills me with awe and admiration.”
LoToJa’s route and additional information about the race are available at lotoja.com.
Event info:
September 6 — LOTOJA Classic Road Race, Utah Triple Crank, Logan, UT, 43rd Annual, 1 day, 3 states, 200-plus mile road race from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole, WY, Brent Chambers, 801-546-0090, [email protected], lotoja.com
