September 15, 2005 – Professional and Amateur road racing returns to the Morristown National Historical Park (Jockey Hollow) this Sunday, September 18th, for the 2nd annual Jockey Hollow Challenge, in Morristown, New Jersey. Presented by Navigators Insurance, the racers in categories 4/5, 3, Masters and Pro/1/2 will traverse the park made famous by America’s first President; George Washington.

During two critical winters of the Revolutionary War, 1777 and 1779-80, the countryside in and around Morristown, New Jersey, sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the headquarters of its commander-in-chief, General George Washington.

General Washington twice chose Morristown due to its strategic location, including proximity to New York City, defensible terrain, important communication routes, access to critical resources, and a supportive community. The park encompasses ground occupied by the army during the vast 1779-80 encampment, and the site of the fortification from the 1777 encampment. The Ford Mansion, where Washington made his headquarters, is an important feature of the park and recalls civilian contributions to the winning of independence.

The racing action begins at 10:00am and the tough, demanding 3.2-mile closed course will challenge the riders much as the soldiers were challenged 225 years ago during the brutal winter conditions. A popular destination for cyclists, hikers and history buffs, the park is located adjacent to I-287 and easily accessible from New York and Pennsylvania.

The road races are part of a weekend of family activities dubbed “Bike Fest 2005” that include MTB racing and riding, bike tours, and a host of other family friendly activities including food, music and historic demonstrations. The events, promoted in part by the Great Swamp Watershed Association, will benefit the association’s numerous educational and preservation initiatives.

On hand to test his legs on the tough circuit will be 2000 Olympic Gold Medallist Marty Nothstein of the Navigators Insurance team.