In its 23rd year in 2024, 24 Hours of Booty – the local charity cycling (and walking) event striving to change the course of cancer – begins as always at 7pm on Friday, July 26 and ends at 7pm on Saturday, July 27.
The race starts at the intersection of Wellesley and Queens Road West (GPS: 1600 Queens Road West) and continues along the “Booty Loop” for 24 hours.
The race takes place on some of Myers Park’s busiest and most beautiful streets, and the three-mile course will be well-marked, barricaded, and coned-off to traffic around the course. CMPD officers will be stationed at all major intersections to help direct cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
One lane around the “Booty Loop” will be closed for cyclists the entire 24 hours of the event. Beginning Friday at 5:30 p.m., the northbound lanes on Queens Road West at Wellesley will close to place the start/finish line. The remainder of the northbound lanes will close at 6:45 p.m. One lane on Queens Road West Northbound will reopen Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. CMPD will be monitoring intersections around the course and helping traffic flow safely the entire 24 hours of the event.
The course map is available online.
More than 800 participants will ride, walk or run in this year’s 24 Hours of Booty, presented by Levine Cancer Institute. Funds raised support organizations dedicated to cancer navigation and survivorship including: Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital and Queens University of Charlotte.
Here’s the planned order of activities for the event, which takes place RAIN or SHINE:
FRIDAY, JULY 26
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Venue/Event set up at Queens University of Charlotte Soccer Field (known as Bootyville)
- 3 p.m. – Bootyville Opens
- 6:30-6:55 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies at Start Line (Queens Road West/Wellesley)
- 6:55 p.m. – Start/Finish Stage “National Anthem” – To be performed by Miya Trigg, who is 16 years old and a brain tumor patient at Levine Children’s Hospital
- 7 p.m. – 24 Hours of Booty Ride Begins/Survivor Parade Lap (corner of Wellesley & Queens Road West)
- 11 p.m. – 1 a.m. – Late Night Pizza Party featuring pizza from Benny Pennello’s and Benny Ferrovia’s (Food Tent in Expo Area)
SATURDAY, JULY 27
- 9 a.m. – Survivor Cafe (Mission Central Lounge in Bootyville)
- 10 a.m. – Little Kids’ Ride and Dance Party with Homer the Dragon and Bella Ballerina (Campground in Bootyville)
- 4 p.m. – Sponsor and Fundraising Awards Program and Ice Cream Social (Food Tent in Bootyville)
- 6:40 p.m. – Final lap of the ride
- 7 p.m. – 24 Hours of Booty Ends
Neighbors are quite used to this event and many host watch parties and celebrations to spur the riders and participants along. It’s particularly inspiring to watch the first lap of the race, where the many 24 Hours of Booty participants who are cancer survivors, currently undergoing treatment, or are in recovery have a special place of honor at each year’s 24HOB kickoff and lead the pack in the first lap.
Anyone can join in the fun at any time during the event. You just find a spot on the route and cheer the riders and walkers on. While you will want to bring water and maybe a small snack, please be mindful not to litter. You can alternatively purchase a meal ticket (or two) to eat with the teams at Bootyville. Meal tix are available for Kids and for Adults for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during the ride hours HERE.
For lots more information, visit the 24Foundation website here.
