The annual Twilight Criterium race will take place Saturday in Athens, rain or shine.

“It may dampen spirits slightly, but everything will go on,” said Bill Overend, chair of the Athens Twilight Foundation.

Cyclists have been taking part in the 80K race since 1980. The criterium wraps around downtown Athens and has grown from just 40 cyclists to now 150.

Overand said the event has become a huge boost for downtown businesses and they will be prepared for the inclement weather.

“They’ll have tents for people to sort of be under,” Overend explained. “Bring an umbrella. Bring a jacket! I don’t think it’s going to rain that hard. I think it’s just going to be more misty and just a bit damp out there.”

The race draws an estimated 30,000 spectators each year. Proceeds from the 2013 Twilight Criterium will go to Athens Habitat for Humanity.

“We want to raise money. We want to celebrate downtown and basically, we want everybody who has anything to do with Twilight or downtown to have a good weekend. Whether it be fun, whether it be having a great sales weekend, we want everybody to have a positive experience,” said Overend.

Tags: Athens, bicycle, bicycling, twilight criterium, bicycle race