Kids Compete For Strider Championships

Look, Mom, no pedals!

Toddlers from all over the world are converging in Sarasota for the Strider World Championship and Sarasota Kids Fest this weekend.

The Strider bike is a special no-pedal balance bike that has taken off in popularity and has its own competition here in South Florida.

“The Strider World Championship has quickly turned into the signature annual event for Strider Sports,” states Strider Inventor and CEO Ryan McFarland. “We always believed the STRIDER was special in the way it taught toddlers how to ride a bike. Now withStrider Racing and the Strider World Championship, we see children as young as two years old developing sportsmanship and other valuable skills while riding and competing on two wheels. The second World Championship promises to build on last year’s success. We are again grateful to all our partners and Sarasota County for helping us culminate the season in true Strider style — fun in the sun!”

The event began Friday and continues through Monday. The races are held at the Sarasota BMX Track, 1590 N. Tuttle Ave, where on Saturday the Strider World Championship was held for racers ages 2, 3, 4 and 5 years old from North America, Asia, Europe and South America.

Radio Disney Road Crew will also be on site providing entertainment.    

Additional events that weekend include the Strider beach parade, a bike toss and more.

Visit www.striderlife.com/stridercup/worldchampionship for the full schedule of events.

“Sarasota is proud to host the 2012 Strider World Championship," said Carolyn Brown, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation General Manager. "Sarasota is well-poised to host an exciting weekend of Strider family fun with America’s number one beach, a vibrant downtown, and the first purpose-built, ‘no-pedal’ BMX race track in the country.”