Cyclists tour scenic Jackson countryside in ‘Tour of Jackson’

Cliff Pawley, program director of athletic training education, explained the event is a fundraiser for the athletic program.

“There is an event in Atlanta next year called the SEATA (South East Athletic Training Association) student symposium,” Pawley said. “Every year they have a student symposium in which they have athletic training students from all over the country. We want our students to be represented there next year. “

The symposium offers a number of opportunities for students to gain knowledge in athletic training.

Events include an educator’s seminar that allows instructors to be in class at the same time as the students involved and a quiz bowl, where Union athletic training students will have a chance to pair up against other athletic training students and test their knowledge and abilities.

The tour route took cyclists from Union’s campus to Humboldt Lake, down to the south part of the city by Century Farms Winery, then by the University School of Jackson, and finally filtering back into town and looping back to Union.

Most cyclists were able to complete the 62-mile loop in less than four hours, Pawley said.

The tour included shorter courses spanning 16, 30, 45, and 62 miles of scenic Tennessee countryside.

Hills, flat roads, and diverse routes lined the courses for the bicyclists to venture out and explore Jackson.

Jonathan Allen, assistant professor of athletic training, has heard positive feedback from the event and hopes to make the Tour of Jackson an annual event at Union.

“The way the tour was organized and planned it really drew a lot of people in,” Allen said. “People have already asked us to bring it back next year, and we have even had people wanting to sponsor us who were in the race.”

The event kicked off at 9 a.m. April 20, starting at Miller Tower. Those who registered before April 15 received free T-shirts, and the first special event cycling jerseys were available to be purchased.