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Cyclists keep getting younger

Littlest racers among the biggest draws

The Iron Horse – it’s historic; it’s iconic – and in its 44th season, it’s getting younger. The Sprite Kids Race fast has become one of the most popular events of the entire Iron Horse Bicycle Classic weekend.

Durango Coca-Cola general manager Meredith Mapel, who has been involved from the start, said the Kids Race is a sure way to get they youngest riders fired up.

“It just encourages kids to get out and ride and have fun,” she said. “That’s really our goal.”

When it’s all said and done, after Saturday’s road race and Citizens Tour to Silverton, the kids races are indeed the biggest draw.

“We have somewhere between 400 and 450 kids each year,” Mapel said. “Ages 10 to 2 years old.”

And for each of those kids racing on bikes around a downtown course of a few blocks, there are at least a handful of people showing their support, cheering them on with a surprisingly loud amount of enthusiasm.

The kids are categorized by age, from 5 and younger, then each year through 10. A $5 donation is suggested for each rider, and proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of Durango.

Dee Dee Carlson, kids race organizer and volunteer coordinator, said that while it’s not really a competition, it is about fun.

“Every kid is a winner,” she said. “They all get a medal, but mostly it’s just a really fun race.”

Amy Haggart, executive director of Durango DEVO, a developmental youth cycling program, said while 2-year-olds may seem young, to her, it’s all in a day’s work.

“It’s the best, for sure,” she said on Saturday, surrounded by wobbly toddlers and setting them up on Stryder Bikes – bicycles with no pedals or cranks that little tykes can push themselves around on. DEVO had a booth on Main Avenue, just off the event race course, and a line quickly formed of curious onlookers.

“We do it all year long, so we get to see the good stuff,” she said.

Although it’s surprising to some, Haggart said many children take well to bicycling at young ages.

“I think this is special, and it motivates other communities to see that kids actually can be self-sufficient on bikes,” she said. “They totally can do it. It’s really fun for big events like this, but we see it everyday.”

The crowds were nearly as dense for the kids races as any other Sunday. Generations of families leaned over the fencing to snap action photos of their tots. Press and other media ran about with just as much intensity as for the pros.

Chad Cheeney, co-founder of DEVO and event emcee, said that if kids start off with a good experience, they will follow cycling and continue with healthful habits throughout their lives.

“Having the (kids) race at noon is huge,” he said. “You have all these spectators and friends and family out. I think it’s a highlight just how many spectators we have to cheer on the kids.”

Chris and Samantha Larkins of Denver rode to Silverton on Saturday, but on Sunday, it was their daughters turn to ride.

“They loved it,” Chris Larkins said.

“It was their first race, and they did awesome,” Samantha Larkins said.

Mia, 5, and Charlotte , 3, fiddled with their medals after their races next to a bench.

“You hope that when they’re older, they’ll come back and do the bigger one,” Chris Larkins said.

According to Cheeney, if kids such as Mia and Charlotte had fun, they’ll be back for more.

“All that cheering and goofing off and making it look silly goes a long way in the love for a sport,” he said. “This will be a memorable experience in their lives.”

bmathis@ durangoherald.com

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