Little Racers Take On the OZ Kids Crit in Springdale

Tiny bike bells and parents cheering louder than they probably meant to are the first sign this is happening. You’ll see rows of kid-sized bikes lined up along the course, ready to race like it actually counts, because for a nine year old chasing their first podium finish, it does.

THE DEETS

Little Legs, Real Racing

Every racer picks up a numbered race plate with a timing chip and a medal, and the top three in each category get their moment on the podium.

Your racer’s heat depends on age and bike type, and the youngest go first. Two and three year olds on balance bikes kick things off with a one-lap sprint split into two waves, followed by four to six year olds. After that it’s pedal bikes, working up through the age groups in heats that range from two laps up to eight minutes plus a lap, with the nine and ten year olds closing things out.

Medals get handed out twice, once for the balance bike racers and Pedal 3-4 group, and again later for pedal racers five and up. Get your kid to the course ahead of their heat, wristband on and race plate already attached to the bike.

You can grab your packet early on Friday, September 18, at the Ozark Foundation warehouse at 703 SW A St in Bentonville, next to Thai Kitchen, or pick it up onsite at Luther George Park on race day.

Suit Up Before Showtime

Flo Bike Wear made a special-edition jersey for the series, marked down from $59 to $39 for now. Sizes run toddler 2T through 4T, youth small and medium, and adult unisex small through 2XL, all true to size. Orders ship in about four weeks since they’re processed in batches, so order early if you want yours before race day. Grab the jersey here.

Series standings are posted at ozkids.org/kids-crit-results if you want to scope out the competition before race day, or check back after Springdale to see where your racer landed.