Race for Life Series kicks off Friday

MOSES LAKE — BMX tracks on Washington’s east side will be busy this weekend for the Race for Life Series, a collaboration between Spokane BMX, Walla Walla BMX, Columbia Basin BMX and Moses Lake BMX to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Race for Life is an annual event for USA BMX tracks across Northern America, raising money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for more than 40 years. 

“It’s going to be an 800-point weekend, so significantly more points than last year,” Moses Lake BMX Track Operator Jeff Niehenke said. “We have all four of the Eastern Washington tracks working together to raise money and run a four-race series this coming weekend, and it’s a great way to give back to the community.” 

The Eastern Washington Race for Life Series began last year, when the four tracks collaborated on their Race for Life events in hopes of bringing out bigger crowds. Races begin on Friday at Spokane BMX, then move to Walla Walla BMX and Columbia Basin on Saturday morning and afternoon, respectively. Moses Lake BMX hosts the final race on Sunday morning. 

“It’s a lot of travel around, but it’s a lot of fun because we draw larger numbers,” Niehenke said. “We should have close to 300 riders for this, so there’s a little more competition. You get paired up better with the more riders we have. It’s a lot of fun.” 

Tracks compete against one another in terms of fundraising — last year the tracks raised $18,000 altogether, with Columbia Basin BMX earning the most. This year, there will be additional awards for the boys and girls that earn the most points at each of the four races, as well as the top three fundraisers at each track.  

“We’re bringing a little fun with some awards as well,” Niehenke said. “Typically, with these races it’s a higher entry fee and half the entry fee goes straight for a donation, but we’re giving back some more this year with some awards for the kids that do all four races.” 

The first race is Friday at 7 p.m. at Spokane BMX; Saturday morning’s race at Walla Walla BMX begins at 11 a.m., followed by Columbia Basin BMX’s race which begins at 5 p.m. the same day; Moses Lake BMX hosts its race Sunday at 11 a.m. Each race has a $20 registration fee. 

“It’s a great community builder, getting all the tracks together,” Niehenke said. “It’s a different vibe and camaraderie for these races – we want to go have fun BMX racing, but we’re there to raise money and give ourselves out to others.” 

    Track operators from Spokane BMX, Walla Walla BMX, Columbia Basin BMX and Moses Lake BMX smile for a photo after last year’s Race for Life. Last year’s event raised nearly $18,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
  

    This year, the top boys and girls riders who attend each race in the Race for Life Series will receive a wooden plaque.