More than 1,000 racers are preparing to get muddy this weekend at Steele Creek Park, 7081 NC 181, when the Grand National Cross Country Series comes to town.
Racers and spectators from across the region have flocked to Burke County since April 2000 for the annual GNCC race that runs from Saturday to Sunday. ATVs race on Saturday and bikes on Sunday. Races begin at 8 a.m. for youth, 10 a.m. for amateurs and 1 p.m. for pros.
Rachel Fluharty, a spokesperson for GNCC Racing, said the weekend's race would be the third of a 13-round series. The series has been averaging 1,500 riders this year.
That number doesn't include the number of spectators at the events, though, Fluharty said.
Even with onsite camping available at Steele Creek, local hotels report brisk business when the GNCC race is in town.
Sam Desai, general manager of Days Inn, 1100 Burkemont Ave., said the hotel is basically full this weekend. Along with the GNCC racers and spectators, an event for fire fighters in Marion has the hotel at capacity.
Courtney Davis, assistant general manager at the Hampton Inn, 115 Bush Drive, said the hotel is similarly filled this weekend. And it's like that every year when the racers come to town.
Desai said he sees familiar faces back at the hotel each year.
And once customers who are turned away because of the full occupancy find out about the race, they express interest in returning the next year, Desai said.
"(The racers) definitely help out Morganton, because the restaurants get a lot of business," Davis said. "They are very happy when they leave. They think it's a nice, quaint little town."
Desai said it "definitely helps" to have the GNCC race in Morganton.
"It helps out a lot, the way it is, the economy right now. It helps a lot," Desai said.
Steele Creek Park owner Dick Loven said the park's been fielding the most calls it's ever had about the race.
"So we're looking for a big crowd," Loven said. Camping spaces are still available.
Despite the influx of people, Fluharty said the sport isn't the most spectator-friendly sport because the track is 12-miles long, but people still come out to watch from specific spots.
Fluharty said one of the most frequented locations is the bridge where a big mud bog sits.
Loven said the crowd tends to gather at the start of the track as well.
Fluharty said spectators can always ask a track worker for suggestions, too.
The track crews are already working on the course, and registration starts Friday, Fluharty said.
Merchandise, food vendors and restrooms are available on site.
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