Moses Lake BMX holds Race for Life event

MOSES LAKE — Last weekend, Moses Lake BMX participated in the Race for Life Double competition that was held across Eastern Washington. Track Operator Jeff Niehenke said he was pleased with how the weekend went for his riders.

“This is such a community builder to have everyone united behind the cause, like raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It really unites everyone, and it takes away the competitiveness, because we’re all driving for a similar cause to raise money to support something bigger than ourselves,” Niehenke said.

The event was held across four tracks over the weekend, starting with Moses Lake BMX on Friday. On Saturday morning, BMX riders raced in Walla Walla before heading to Tri-Cities in the afternoon. The event finished in Spokane on Sunday.

According to Niehenke, all the host tracks were competing to see who could raise the most money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Niehenke said Moses Lake placed second by the end of the weekend after raising $6,842. He said that was $1,300 more than last year when they placed first.

Niehenke said the double-point race was a strong attraction for riders to travel to the competition this year. In past years, there were 100-point races rather than 200 like this year.

“This used to be pretty common in the past, to do a big series like this between tracks, but nowadays, with the travel costs and everything being so expensive, it’s just not as frequent,” he said. “You just don’t see the big multi-track series like this anymore.”

This year, its third, the Race for Life event raised $20,000 overall for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Niehenke said raising money was more important than competition; however, he was pleased with what he saw from the Moses Lake riders.

A lot of the riders were able to move up a level last weekend, he said. Many of the riders are new but were able to advance from novice to intermediate. To move up, riders must win 10 races and according to Niehenke, a lot of his riders were able to secure their 10th win.

“That’s the best part about this sport. Seeing every kid have an obstacle and just build the confidence from race to race, just learning to be stronger, learning to be more daring or more confident in themselves. It’s just great to see the kids leave the track with a smile on their face because they’ve done something that they didn’t think they could do,” Niehenke said.

Niehenke praised the camaraderie and community found in BMX riding. After races, riders can be seen giving fist bumps or compliments to other riders. According to Niehenke, the competition is fun, but everyone is quick to help each other out. He said riders are always rallying around each other and pitching in where help is needed.

“It’s unlike any other sport, and how tight-knit the community is, supporting each other and then also supporting other communities or giving to other causes,” he said.

Race for Life Double results

Girls Cruiser

1. Jordan Niehenke - Moses Lake BMX

1. Sophia McCain - SPOKANE BMX

3. Bristol Almy - Spokane BMX

Cruiser

1. Jackson Beal - Lincoln Park BMX Track

2. Kaden McPeek- Columbia Basin BMX

2. Chase Murfin - Spokane BMX

Girls Class

1. Bristol Almy - Spokane BMX

1. Sophia McCain - Spokane BMX

3. Lilly Schmidt - Spokane BMX

4. Allikay Tatum - Moses Lake BMX

4. Alison Gallagher - Spokane BMX

Boys Class

1. Lincoln Matlen - Spokane BMX

1. Lazer Ruud - Columbia Basin BMX

1. Jackson Beal - Lincoln Park BMX

4. Joseph Servatius - Spokane BMX

4. Coleman Beck - Moses Lake BMX

6. Grayson Whitney - Moses Lake BMX

6. Gunner Steensland - Columbia Basin BMX

6. Chase Murfin - Spokane BMX

6. Kaden McPeek - Columbia Basin BMX

6. Jordan James - Spokane BMX

6. Everest Burkhardt - Spokane BMX

Source: Moses Lake BMX

    The boys class takes a group photo after the Race for Life Double Point event. Coleman Beck and Grayson Whitney represented Moses Lake BMX.  

    Young riders prepare to ride at the top of a hill at the Moses Lake BMX track. Jeff Niehenke said he enjoys watching the kids overcome challenges.  

    Jeff Niehenke, left, with Tanner Whitney, middle, and Grayson Whitney, right, at the Moses Lake BMX track. Both raised $350 according to Niehenke. Not pictured, Isaac Nichols, who raised $660.  

    Moses Lake rider Jordan Niehenke, right, poses with fellow riders holding up their plaques at the Race for Life event. All funds raised over the weekend went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.