Carl Hubbell, left, and Greg Jeffries wish each other luck before racing begins at Hire Park’s Race For Life event Saturday. (Photo by Jamie Stalter of Lasting Memories by Jamie)

WARSAW – It was a double points weekend at Hire Park, but there was something doubly important on the line Saturday outside the BMX track.

Hire Park was one facility among dozens across the country to host a Race For Life day, sponsored by USA BMX, the governing body for Hire Park. Riders and spectators were asked to raise funds or donate to Hire Park, which turns the money around to the Race For Life organization benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Race For Life began in 1981 when BMX rider Todd Kingsbury developed Leukemia. The idea was to hold a “Race For Life” for Kingsbury, and over 130 parks around the country did so to help his fight. Ever since, USA BMX has grown the event nationwide and helped raise thousands of dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Kingsbury wasn’t able to win the fight, passing away in late 1981, but his legacy has helped many after him that have developed the debilitating disease.

Hire Park coordinator Dan Rumple stated the track raised over $1,500 Saturday, attaining its goal, and has done so each year since the track began hosting the event in 2011.

“This is a great thing for us to be a part of,” Rumple said. “Not all of the riders completely understand what’s going on with it since some of them are too young. But when you explain it to them, just about everyone gets it. It feels really good to raise money for people that really need it, and being able to do it while we’re all having fun riding bikes is just icing on the cake.”

There was a good bit of racing at Hire Park Saturday, as well, with 11 races on the docket. Results of the racing were as follows:

Strider:
1st – Gavin Blair

36-40 Cruiser:
1st – Steve Martinsky
2nd – Greg Jeffries
3rd – Carl Hubbell

5-Under Novice:
1st – Owen Martinsky
2nd – Ayden Parker
3rd – Cooper Weirick

7 Novice:
1st – Rex Arnold
2nd – Daniel Martinsky
3rd – Wesley Miller

9 Novice:
1st – Sawyer Darling
2nd – Elliot Stuller
3rd – Kendall Gibson

9 Intermediate:
1st – Egan Jeffries
2nd – Jacob Parker
3rd – Heath Blair

10 Intermediate:
1st – Benjamin Brander
2nd – Memphis Krebs
3rd – Maxwell Miller

13 Intermediate:
1st – Trevor Ellis
2nd – Madison Gutierrez
3rd – Conner Sparks

17-18 Intermediate:
1st – Austin Moeller
2nd – Wayne Hill
3rd – Jordyn Nowicki

31-Over Girls:
1st – Michelle Marquis
2nd – Liza Arnold
3rd – Andie Parker

28-35 Expert:
1st – Shannon Taylor
2nd – Brandon Klinefelter
3rd – Jeremya Moeller

For more information on Hire Park and its events, visit hireparkbmx.com. To see more action photos from the Hire Park, including a full set of racing photos, visit Jamie Stalter’s Lasting Memories by Jamie Stalter Facebook page.