REDLANDS - There is no mistaking the excitement of a child, and on Saturday the Redlands Bicycle Classic's Children's Public Race was no exception.
With eager eyes and a smile across his face, 3-year-old Magnus Hillman was first to cross the finish line in the first 50-yard heat of the tricycle race.
Mom Jennifer Hillman was waiting for him at the finish line, cheering him on with encouraging words and open arms.
"He races for skittles because he doesn't understand what a race is yet," Hillman said.
All of Saturday's RBC children's racers were winners, receiving a congratulatory medal as they crossed the finish line.
Rhonda and Joe Hwang, parents of Joelle and Jayden Hwang, were participants in
this year's race.
"This is great family fun and it's something to do within the community," Joe said.
"This race helps to start the focus on health in their lives," said Rhonda.
"I like riding with my daddy in the cold-de-sac to prepare," said 4-year-old Joelle.
Her preparations paid off because Joelle flew through the finish line in first place in the second heat for the 4-year-olds.
Parents gathered at the finish line, waving their little ones across the finish line, while other parents lined the streets shouting encouragement and snapping pictures.
"I am excited to do the race. I want to win. I have been practicing for a couple of months and even got a bike for Christmas with a computer on it," said 7-year-old Joshua Boucher.
Joshua's parents, Michelle and Tim Boucher, said they like the fact that Joshua can come there and be competitive.
The sense of community could be felt throughout the RBC. Everyone gathered there for a common cause - to either participate or to offer support and kind words to loved ones and to each other.
Anytime there would be a "man down" the crowd would pull together to offer words of encouragement.
There are always stories of inspiration and determination.
On Saturday, one of those stories belonged to 5-year-old Conrad Wisniewski of Yucaipa.
As Conrad was about to cross the finish line in the first heat for 5-year-olds, his bike chain fell off his bike.
Conrad looked to his parents for encouragement, laid down his bike and continued to walk through the finish line.
The crowd loved it and cheered loudly.
Redlands resident Jill Prendergast was excited to have her three children in the races.
"We love this," she said. "It's good family time and a great time to be with the community. My kids woke up at 7 a.m. and couldn't wait to get down here."
Once again Team Micah House had a strong presence, sporting their familiar purple "I Love Micah House" shirts.
About 16 of their kids, ranging in age from 6 to 11, raced for "Team Micah."
"These races provide our kids an opportunity they wouldn't otherwise have. They trained all year at the Burrage Mansion and this gives them a goal and a sense of purpose," said Monica Jauregui, employee outreach intern.
"I am very excited," said 9-year-old Cesar Perez of Team Micah. "I have been riding around the corner at my house. This is my first bike race and I love it."
"This was so great for my first race," said 11-year old-Bradley Evans, a Cope Middle School student. "I trained around my house and up the hills by the Morey Mansion. I am proud of myself because all of the racers were very good. I am definitely coming back next year."
suze.knobler@inlandnewspapers.com;
909-793-3221, ext. 319
0 意見:
Post a Comment