PARIS TO ANCASTER CENTO
THE BIG ONE! ARE YOU UP TO THE TEST?
KIT PICKUP - SATURDAY APRIL 24, 2027- Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario. MAP TO ANCASTER RACE HQ - 10am-5pm
RACE - SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2027
START - Paris Fairgrounds, Paris Ontario. MAP TO P2A CENTO START @ PARIS FAIRGROUNDS
START TIME - 8AM
FINISH - Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario.
MAP TO ANCASTER RACE HQ
BIKE - Most are using gravel bikes. Mountain bikes are fine too. No e-bikes. No aero bars/extensions. Helmets are mandatory. No ear buds or headphones.
P2A appreciates the support of the Ontario Provincial Police, Hamilton Police Service and Waterloo Region Police in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for our participants.
COURSE
The P2A CENTO is a point-to-point route which begins at the Paris Fairgrounds in Paris, Ontario.
CENTO means "one hundred" in Italian, which is the approximate distance of this race, although we’ve now managed to push the distance above 110km. Its name is derived from Latin, meaning a patchwork, like a quilt or jacket, or in our case, a patchwork of gravel roads, rail trails, farm laneways, etc.
The first third of the route takes riders through quiet gently rolling gravel roads and along the Grand River Rail Trail to reach the south end of Cambridge. After a short section through some city parks and bike paths, the route returns to the countryside in North Dumfries and into some more rolling terrain after joining up with the Classic route just after 50km.
The route then passes-through a series of private property sections before reaching the rest stop in Harrisburg just before 80km. From there, the route tackles a series of rail trails, gravel roads and farm laneways on its way to the iconic final 7km section in the Dundas Valley.
Tackled first is the muddy descent of the Mineral Springs (approx. 300m long), then 2km on rolling gravel, and then the longer, but equally muddy, descent of Powerline Road (approx. 500m long) before reaching Gravel Pit Rd.
The route then descends into the Dundas Valley before tackling the equally legendary climb up Old Martin Road.
You're only 3km from the finish, you’re likely tired, and this is a challenging section. If you can stay on your bike for the whole climb, give yourself a big pat on the back and push through the Finish Line at the top. Challenge yourself on this true epic!
Course maps will be available just prior to the event via download using RidewithGPS. The course may change up to and including race day according to conditions.
| P2A CENTO Race categories - BASED ON age as of December 31, 2027 |
| 17-18 |
| 19-22 |
| 23-34 |
| 35-44 |
| 45-54 |
| 55-64 Men and Women |
| 65+ Men and Women |
| ELITE CATEGORIES - The categories below are for athletes who have extensive racing background. The average speed for the Cento Elite Men is over 30kph. If you aren't capable of such a speed for over 110km then please sign up for an age group Cento category or the P2A Classic. |
| Elite 19+ |
| Elite 17-18 |
P2A CENTO - STAGING ORDER
8AM - ELITE MEN AND WOMEN, ELITE 17-18 MEN AND WOMEN followed by fast age group racers - Over 30km/h average speed - Limit of 200 racers
8:05AM - RIDERS AND RACERS - 24km/hr to 30km/hr average speed
8:10AM - CHALLENGE THE DISTANCE - under 24km/hr average speed
BEFORE YOU REGISTER -- There are CUT-OFF TIMES and we do pull riders for overall course safety.
If you are in doubt, it is likely best to register in the shorter P2A CLASSIC or the P2A BRÈVE this year and try the P2A CENTO in the future.
Cutoff - CENTO/PARIS START ONLY - Glen Morris @ East River Road - 10:00am - approximately 38KM DONE (shuttle available)
Cutoff - ALL RACES - Harrisburg Aid Station 12:00pm - 38KM TO GO (shuttle available)
Cutoff - ALL RACES - Jerseyville Road Aid Station & the Rail Trail - 1:30pm - 14KM TO GO (shuttle available)
Cutoff - ALL RACES - Slote Road and Mineral Springs Road - 2:00pm 6KM TO GO (you will be directed east on Mineral Springs Road bypassing the Powerline Road Mud Slide)
AWARDS
Award Ceremonies are at 3pm on race day at the Ancaster Rotary Center/Robert E. Wade Community Park. You or a representative must be in attendance to get your medal/prize. Medals/prizes will not be mailed.
P2A IS A POINT-TO-POINT RACE
THE START IS AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION THAN THE FINISH
KIT PICKUP IS ON THE DAY BEFORE THE RACE
Getting around and registration has some particular challenges for both us and you the participant. We try to assist by offering OPTIONS to help. These include such things as bus transportation for you, or truck transportation for your bike. Others include the ability to get your race kit early in the morning on race day. The big OPTION is the P2A VIP that gives you all sorts of perks (see below). Select VIP on the Products List during your Race Roster registration.
VISIT OUR P2A LOGISTICS PAGE FOR DETAILS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION & KIT PICKUP
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THE P2A VIP - THE PRO EXPERIENCE If you're interested in something truly special then register for the P2A VIP - The Pro Experience. Includes Race Day Kit Pickup and Transportation and More! The P2A VIP includes services usually reserved for professional cyclists or Olympians. Space is limited - reserve today! CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE P2A VIP BENEFITS & DETAILS! |
REGISTRATION
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING
Registration and Number Pick Up is only available at Ancaster on
Saturday, April 24 2027 - 10am to 5pm @ Ancaster Rotary Centre/Robert E. Wade Community Park, Ancaster Ontario.
LINK TO ANCASTER RACE HQ MAP
IMPORTANT - Plate Pick-up on Saturday Only for the P2A CENTO UNLESS you purchased P2A VIP OR P2A Convenience Package OR the P2A Race Day Kit Pickup Option. These options have limited availability. See the P2A Logistics Page for details.
Plate/kit pick up - On Saturday you either have to be there in person or have a friend pick-up for you. You will need to show your ID in order to pick up your own kit. Friends will need to show an email from you indicating that they in fact do have permission to pick it up and they will need to show their ID. While you are getting your kit come & browse the P2A Expo!!
2027 Official P2A T-Shirts | REGISTRATION NOW OPEN EARLY - Up to December 6 = $164 Electronic Registration through Race Roster See Note Below: All prices are subject to HST and online processing charges INCLUDES OUR FAMOUS BBQ LUNCH
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Still have questions? Contact us and we'll do our best to answer.
REGISTRATION & PROCESSING FEES - Example of what you will see on Race Roster as you register
| Race Entry Example | $100.00 |
| Race Roster Fee (6% plus $1) | $8.79 |
| Price on Race Roster | $108.79 |
| HST on Race Entry | $13.00 |
| Total at Checkout | $121.79 |