Meridian was all set to host a major cycling event last September, but Hurricane Katrina tore through and ruined those plans.

Organizers of this year’s 2006 Meridian/Cuba Challenge, however, say their race will go on rain or shine — and barring any natural disasters.

A two-day event expected to bring between 150 to 250 participants, the 2006 Meridian-Cuba Challenge begins Saturday with a downtown criterium and concludes Sunday with a challenging road race.

“The race Sunday will be brutal, but it’ll be more like what you see on TV,” Lauderdale County sheriff Billy Sollie said. “But Saturday’s races will be very viewer-friendly; a very fast, viewer-exciting race through downtown.”

Sollie, who is assisting the Meridian Athletic Association with race preparations, says the talent level of those competing this weekend is impressive.

“This is not for your every-day cyclist,” Sollie said. “These are licensed folks who really take cycling seriously.”

A handful of local participants are expected, and a prize purse of $7,000 will be awarded during the course of the two-day race — which will have very contrasting styles.

Saturday’s criterium will consist of five separate divisions of races through downtown Meridian —a .65-mile course described as “very” fast.

“There’ll be packs of 30 or so bikes at a time all going 20-30 miles per hour and then there’ll be a 90-degree turn,” Sollie said. “It’s sprinting, breaking, sprinting, breaking for nearly an hour and then three more laps. It’s pretty exciting and it’s grueling.”

The event starts at 2 p.m. with the Junior/Women’s category and continues at 3 p.m. with the Category 5/Beginners Men division. Sollie said the 4-6 p.m. races (Category 4 Men; Masters 35-plus and 45-plus; and Category 1, 2 and 3 Men) will be intense.

“The Cat 1, 2, 3 racers are the closest to the professional,” he said.

Sunday’s road race, depending on the category of competition, is anywhere from 26 miles to 66 miles long and includes a hilly route to Cuba, Ala.

“It’s a lot more hills than a lot of these riders are used to,” Sollie said. “It’s a very demanding course and it’s going to be hot.”

Sunday’s races begin at 8 a.m. (Junior/Women), 10 a.m. (Category 1s, 2s and 3s), 10:15 a.m. (Masters 35-plus and 45-plus), 10:25 a.m. (Category 4 Men) and 10:35 a.m. (Category 5/Beginners Men).

Race-day registration on Saturday will begin at 12:30 p.m. near the corner of Fifth St. and Constitution Ave. Sunday’s registration begins at 7 a.m. near the start/finish line on County Road 27 in Cuba, Ala.

For more information, contact event chairman Maurice Malone at 601-527-5552 or 601-485-5656.