For the seventh year in a row, the Diabetes Education Fund (DEF) will hold a competitive bicycle race in Phelps County, the Newburg Hellbender Road Race.

This year’s event -- May 18 -- also is designated as the 2008 Missouri State Road Race Championship by USA Cycling and the Missouri Bicycle Racing Association.

Competitive bicyclists, which are expected to number 300, from throughout Missouri will go wheel-to-wheel with one another in an effort to be designated the Missouri State Champion in 18 different categories.

“It’s our seventh year. People will have their choice between 35- and 70-mile circuits,” said Morgan Bearden, one of the organizers of the annual event.

This year’s event is also recognized as a Lance Armstrong Junior Olympic Road Series event for the participants who are 10 to 18 years old. There will also be three short sprint races for children on tricycles and single-speed bicycles.

The race, which is named for the endangered river salamander, will be comprised of a colorful caravan moving clockwise over Highways T, M, J, and P.

The 35-mile circuit will be covered once or twice, depending upon the bicyclist’s competitive category, Bearden said.

All 18 categories will race simultaneously after being started in waves, five minutes apart, at 10 a.m.

The Newburg Hellbender Road Race course may be the most challenging in Missouri and is without a doubt the most scenic, said Bearden, a cycling enthusiast and member of organizing committee that is bringing the Tour of Missouri to Rolla.

The DEF is being assisted in putting on the race by: Brewer Science, Meramec Vineyards, Road Riders Motorcycle Club of Rolla, and the Newburg Community Revitalization Program Group.

All profits from this event benefit the DEF, a tax exempt, non-profit corporation that was established for the purpose of raising funds to be distributed to organizations that teach diabetes management. The goal of the DEF is to improve the quality of diabetes management through the education of diabetics and those who care for them.

Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness and non-traumatic amputation.

Complications from diabetes also include heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and high risk pregnancy.

Until a cure is discovered, proper management of one’s diabetes is a critical skill that all diabetics must learn.

Bearden said there will be race-day registration, but he encourages people to pre-register by logging onto the Hellbender Web site at www.touroftheozarks.org/hellbender.

Bearden and his crew also are looking for volunteers to assist on race day. To contact Bearden at 573-364-1695 (evening), 573-308-3591 (day), morgan@thedef.org.