Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 23, 1990 TAG: 9005230291
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: John Smallwood sportswriter
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The third annual Crestar Festival Soccer Tournament, which starts Saturday, brings to the valley approximately 2,500 players from 11 states ranging from Connecticut to South Carolina.
The two-day tournament, which will feature 176 teams (boys and girls) in age groups from under-9 to under-19, is coordinated by the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club and will be played on more than 20 fields throughout the valley.
Tournament headquarters will be the River's Edge Sports Complex.
"It's gotten bigger and bigger each year," said Danny Beamer, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club. "It's extremely important for us. It's our major fund-raising event.
"It brings in good competition, teams that have traveled all over the place, state champions.
"It shows our kids what kind of competition is out there and what they need to be shooting for to play a high level of soccer. "
It really educates our people about what type commitment it takes to be competitive in soccer."
Games in the double-elimination tournament are scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On Monday, May 28, the second WDBJ Festival Cup Bike Race will begin in downtown Roanoke.
Six races will total 135 miles, and more than $6,500 in prizes will be on the line in events sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation. More than 500 riders are expected to compete on the course, which is six-tenths of a mile.
There also will be six races for non-licensed citizen riders in age groups ranging from 3 years old to adults.
The races will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The 45K Pro I and II race, with a total purse of $2,500, will start at 4 p.m.
Last year, more than 1,600 runners from Virginia and surrounding states competed in the Dominion Bank Festival Classic runs. A similar turnout is expected June 2 for this year's race.
The 5K and 10K runs start and end in front of the Dominion Bank Building on Jefferson Street in Roanoke.
The 5K race starts at 8 a.m. and the 10K at 9 a.m.
More than 250 prizes will be given, including cash awards to the top three finishers in each race in men's and women's divisions.
by CNB