(Vail, Colo.) - The Vail Recreation District's Athletic Club at the Westin Mountain Bike Race Series will continue the summer season of racing on Wednesday, June 8 featuring the Hammer in the Hay. During the race, riders will enjoy a variety of double and single track with distances ranging from 3.4 miles for younger riders to 17.8 miles for more experienced riders. This is the second race of the seven-race series, which is presented by Athletic Club at the Westin, East West Destination Hospitality, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and The Dusty Boot.

Individual race costs are $26 for preregistration or $37 on race day. Registration is available online and preregistration for individual races ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Day-of registration will end at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The races will begin at 4 Eagle Ranch at 4:45 p.m. with the Larkburger Youth Series for riders ages 8 to 17. Youth racers will compete on either the 4.8-mile long loop or the 3.4-mile short loop, depending on sport or beginner categories. The Athletic Club at the Westin adult series will kickoff at 5:45 p.m. with details as follows:

• Men's Pro/Open and Men's Expert Under 35 will begin at 5:45 p.m., followed by Men's Expert 35-44 and Men's Single Speed at 5:46 p.m., Women's Pro/Open and Men's Expert 45+ 5:47 p.m. These categories will include one short loop and three long loops for a 17.8-mile race.
• Women's Expert Under 35, 35-44, 45+ and Women's Single Speed will begin at 5:48 p.m., which will include one short loop and two long loops for a 13-mile race.
• Men's Sport 18 and Under will follow expert races at 6:45 p.m. and Men's Sport 19-34 will begin at 6:46 p.m., followed by Men's Sport 35-44 at 6:47 p.m., Men's Sport 45-49 at 6:48, Men's Sport 50+ and Clydesdales at 6:49 p.m., Women's Sport 18 & Under and Women's Sport 19-34 at 6:50 p.m. These categories will race one short loop and two long loops for a 13-mile course.
• The Men's Beginner race will start at 6:51 p.m. followed by the Women's Beginner race at 6:52 p.m., which will include two short loops for a 6.8-mile course.

The race will include an after-party at 4 Eagle Ranch Grill with free cans of beer provided by New Belgium Brewery, as well as drink specials and samples from 808 Distillery for those 21 and over. Prizes will also be presented after the race to the top three finishers of each category, as well as a raffle prize drawing featuring products from race sponsors, area merchants and national companies. Venture Sports, the official bike shop of the Hammer in the Hay, will be on-site to provide neutral support for racers with last-minute mechanical issues.

The competition will continue in Vail for the grueling uphill Davos Dash on June 22 with the Berry Creek Bash following on July 6 in Edwards. The ever-expanding series will then take racers to the historic Camp Hale Hup course on July 20 before returning to Eagle for the Boneyard Brawl on August 3. The final race of the series will take place in Beaver Creek for the Beaver Creek Blast on August 24.