Are you ready for the 2017 Strider Cup World Championship on July 21-22 in Salt Lake City? Below are some news and tips for last-minute prep! Racers are coming from across the U.S., as well as more than 40 competitors from nine countries; China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Japan, Russia, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand and Canada.

 

Dannon Donation to Head Start Utah

The Dannon Company, part of DanoneWave, partnered with Strider to give away 50 Strider Balance Bikes and helmets to Salt Lake City youth through Head Start Utah. Representatives from Head Start picked up the 50 new bikes and helmets at Dannon’s West Jordan, Utah, plant on Monday, July 10.

Head Start Utah will be giving the Strider Bikes, helmets and a free race entry to children for the Strider Cup World Championship July 21-22. July 10 as part of the global Danone Day celebrations where Danone employees give back to their communities. 

 

 

Packet Pick-up Reminder

Friday packet pick-up is mandatory. It will include a bike inspection, and time to ask staff any last-minute questions. The last chance to register online is Thursday, July 20 by 5:00 PM MST. Parking validations can be obtained at the packet pick-up booths. The Gateway has recommended using the “North” garage located at 400 W between 100 S and S Temple. We’ll also have a free Strider Adventure Zone on Friday for local children age 2-5 and registered racers.

 

Salt Lake Magazine Feature

Did you see the cool article in Salt Lake Magazine: Stride Right: Tots Take Balance Bikes to the Next Level? The Hewett’s have three children who plan to attend; 5-year-old Hawk, 3-year-old Lincoln and 2-year-old Cozette. Hawk raced in 2015 and 2016, and Lincoln raced last year.

In the article, their dad, Justin, shared, “The independence has given my kids a lot of confidence that they can do other things,” he says. “It’s part of who Hawk is, his bike. It’s a big part of his identity.”

 

Youngest Racer and Cousins Ready to Race

The youngest registered racer so far is 19-month-old Xarin Galindo of West Jordan, Utah. Several families from nearby Ogden are participating, include cousins Weston Storey, Porter Dayton and Shyanne Anderson (pictured below). Weston’s mother Shannon Storey found out about the race and signed them all up. She said they, “have had their bikes for a while now and love them. They all have big personalities and are very excited about the event.”

 

 

Special Needs Racers Raring to Go

The racers in the Special Needs class are in their final training sessions, including several athletes from the Jimmy’s Jaguars and the Brighty Bears Special Olympics teams who raced last year. They’ll be showing off their improved skills on the 12” models, as well as Strider’s larger 16” and 20” balance bikes, which the company launched in 2014 specifically for the special needs community.

Many new racers have been training with Monti Poulson, a special education teacher who received bikes last year from a Select 25 Grant from Select Health, the insurance arm of Intermountain Healthcare. Monti started her school’s first bike program and has encouraged over 40 people with disabilities to learn to ride. More than a dozen will participate in the upcoming event. Intermountain LDS Hospital was a Class Sponsor at last year’s Strider Cup Race, and is a Class Sponsor for both the two- and three-year-old riders at this year’s Strider Cup World Championship. More details are in this blog: Strider Sparks Special Education Teacher into Action. 

Kyrie, pictured below, raced last year and is excited about this year’s race!