Hire Park is conducting its annual running of the Race For Life Saturday afternoon, which raises funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Photos provided by Jamie Stalter of Lasting Memories by Jamie)

WARSAW – All is quiet this week at Hire Park, but this weekend it will be rockin’ and rollin’ as the Race For Life will get going, bringing a ton of BMX action to Warsaw.

Experienced and inexperienced riders alike are encouraged to participate.

It’s not a normal weekend of racing. While the bikes and ambitions on the track will be the same – that never changes when competition is on the line – the initiatives off the track are much more important, and needed.

The Race For Life is designed by USA BMX, the governing body that oversees the organization at Hire Park. The project began back 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.

Racing for the Race For Life begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Rumple, coordinator at Hire Park, is proud to again sponsor the event, which the park has done since 2011.

“The whole purpose is not about prizes or winning races, it’s donating to the cause,” Rumple said, who noted the track raised over $1,500 on its own in 2013. “Raising money is a good thing, regardless if it’s a few hundred or a few thousand. It all helps.”

Riders looking to participate in the event this Saturday are asked to take donations from anyone or anywhere they can. The totals are then brought to the park Saturday where a final tally is taken, as well as added in with what is donated at the gate. Riders then take part in normal points races as part of the season series, but the point totals are doubled. Donations can also be made after the event.

“The kids don’t always understand what is involved with the Race, but the adults do,” Rumple said. “The thing is, everyone knows someone directly or indirectly that has or had cancer. You can’t go around and find someone who doesn’t. Which is sad, but that’s why we have events like the Race For Life. We take events like these serious, because it is a serious cause.”

Rumple added that anyone can ride in the Race For Life, no riding license is required. Whether a pro, a novice or no experience at all, first-timers or all-timers. Registration for the Race For Life begins at noon Saturday until 1:30 p.m. with racing immediately following registration.

For more information, visit www.hireparkbmx.com or contact Rumple at (574) 268-7433.