In the course of one year, Ed Johnson has seen the Renfrew Ras grow into something bigger and better.

Last July, the bike race took place on five roads surrounding Butler County Airport and attracted 100 cyclists from seven different states.

The 2010 event, billed as the Butler County Stage Race, will consist of three legs held over two days, July 17 and 18.

More than 200 cyclists are expected to compete in one of six divisions: Unicycle, USA Men's Cycling Category 4-5, Men's Age 40-Plus, Women's Open Division, Men's Category 3 and Men's Category 1-2-3.

The first day of competition will include two portions, both in the city of Butler.

The second day will include the Renfrew Ras Road Race and will follow the same course as last year's event.

"Last fall, we began thinking about adding a second day," said Johnson, the race's director and a resident of Penn Township. "We felt that cyclists from farther away would be more liable to come to our race if it was over two days rather than just one."

On July 17, time trials will begin downtown at 8 a.m. Cyclists will follow a 6.5-mile course beginning and ending at Diamond Park via Main Street, Penn Street and trips through Memorial and Alameda parks.

The second leg, the Main Street Criterium, will begin early in the afternoon July 17 and will use Main, West Diamond and East Diamond streets.

Cyclists must complete a ride ranging from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the division.

"We want to let people know that the race will cause disruptions within the city," said Johnson. "There will be no parking on Penn Street, Miller Street and anywhere in Memorial Park. Parts of Main Street will be closed."

For the time-trial portion, 38 different intersections will be closed. For the Main Street Criterium, about half that number will be affected.

While this might be a nuisance to residents, Johnson stresses it is for the well-being of everybody involved.

"The success of this race is entirely based on the safety of both the participants and spectators," he said. "We ask that residents have patience with us and we encourage them to watch the color and the speed that comes with a race of this level."

To ensure safety over both days of the race, the Penn Township Police and Fire departments, Butler City Police, Butler County Sheriff and the CB Rangers will help out.

"Without those organizations, we wouldn't be able to do this," said Johnson.

The second day of the competition will begin with the Men's Category 4-5 cyclists at 8 a.m. in Penn Township.

West Airport, Meridian, Renfrew, Brownsdale and Three Degree roads will be part of the course.

Mileage for the second day varies with the division, ranging from 8.5 miles for novice unicyclists to 85 miles for the USA Men's Category 1-2-3 entrants.

Included in the second day is a torturous climb on a portion of Meridian Road.

Last year, the hill forced 12 of the 23 Category 1-2-3 cyclists to drop out during the race.

"The hill didn't take anybody by surprise the day of the race last year because they all had a chance to ride it beforehand," said Johnson. "But the lesser riders were not able to keep up with the leaders, that's for sure."

One of the five divisions from 2009 — an 8Z\x-mile amateur race — has been dropped.

The total purse for all divisions, excluding the unicycle event, is $5,000.

The monetary prize for winning the unicycle event is being raised privately.

Registration must be done online by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday or can be done in person from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Butler Grand Ballroom on Main Street.

Visit www.butlercountystagerace.blogspot.com for information.