Group Health Kids Bike Race Series starts Sunday

Group Health likes bikes.

The health care cooperative, which paid for naming rights on the state’s only velodrome at Marymoor Park in Redmond, brings its second annual Kids Bike Race Series to Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake Sunday.

“Group Health is just tickled to be able to provide this little gem here,” communications representative Pat Nash said. “My colleagues over in Seattle are so envious of this series that they are exploring how they can duplicate it in the Greater Seattle area.”

The series is aimed at youngsters 11 and younger, with competitions broken down by age.

Group Health is joined by the Spokane Valley YMCA, REI, the Safe Kids Program and Emde Coaching as event sponsors.

Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a staggered race schedule beginning at noon. There is no entry fee to participate, but each racer must have a signed parental release form and must have an approved helmet.

“Last year we had about 135 kids take part,” Nash said. “I think we probably had just a couple kids show up without a helmet and we were able to scrounge around and find them a helmet so they could participate.”

The race isn’t the only attraction for the three race series, which continues Sept. 25 at Mirabeau Point Park and concludes Oct. 2 at Audubon Park on Spokane’s northside.

The Mirabeau Park races are partnered with Trailfest, with each youngster also getting a free hot dog.

“The fire department will have a display on site and there will also be a bike rodeo,” Nash said. “The Group Health Foundation will provide an interactive display called Blood and Guts, which was designed for elementary students.

“The YMCA will provide family games while everyone waits for their race time. One of our main sponsors, REI, will provide free bike safety checks before the races – and they’ll be giving away two bikes at the Sept. 25 race. Group Health physical therapists are also going to present a program on stretching.”

The kid-friendly races will begin at noon, when youngsters age 5 and younger race. Six-year-olds race at 12:15 p.m., with each successive age group racing at 15-minute intervals.

“Group Health likes the idea of having a family friendly event like this for the kids,” Nash said. “Kids are welcome to enter any or all of these events. After the Oct. 2 race each kid will get a prize for competing.”

Pre-registration is recommended and can be done by calling Group Health at (800) 992-2279 or logging onto the Emde Coaching Web site at www.emdesports.com.