With a race called the Devil Take the Hind Most, Thursday’s Twilight Bicycle Race at Haskell Indian Nations University wouldn’t seem to qualify as family fun.

Race promoter and cyclist Jim Whittaker would disagree.

“The Twilight series is like a family festival,” said the longtime racer, who has played host to 15 events this year – including the fourth annual Twilight series, a four-week race that promotes criterium skills on a half-mile course around HINU.

“There is a mixture of people and talent levels, but with all the kids and adults interacting it really is a good time,” Whittaker said.

In the Devil Take the Hind Most – more commonly referred to as Miss-n-Out – the last-place cyclist at the end of every lap is pulled out of the field, leaving fewer contestants to battle for the lead and points.

Team Velotek's C.J. Meeks pedals to victory in the Category C division of the Twilight Bicycle Race. Meeks earned the victory in the division for 8- to 12-year-olds at the bicycle races Thursday at Haskell Indian Nations University.

“It sure is a lot of fun, but it’s very competitive at the same time,” said Kurt Albrecht, who finished 1-2-3 with VeloTek teammates Derek Goerke and Mark Smelser in the evening’s early Category 3 race.

“You’re pretty much sprinting the entire time you’re out there,” said Albrecht, who has been racing for two years. “You just got to give it all you got and hope that’s enough.”

The summer evening’s unique atmosphere was more than enough for 10-year-old Kyle Broyer.

“I just like seeing all the different people out here. It’s a good time,” said the first-year racer, who also trains with VeloTek and Whittaker.

Young competitors in the twilight bicycle race begin their division's first lap. The race was Thursday at Haskell Indian Nations University.

Whittaker says he took a lot of calls from people showing interest in this series because it came at the same time as the Tour de France.

“It definitely piques people’s interest,” he said. “I get calls from people who have been watching the race and are wanting to get into cycling themselves.”

While Thursday’s race couldn’t replicate France’s breathtaking scenery, it did have its own picturesque setting as the sun set over the university. But the action really picked up for the 100 racers when the lights flickered on and the specialty events took off.

“Man, this is my favorite race of the year,” Whittaker said. “Even if I did get whopped out there tonight.”