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The Strider World Championship is an annual racing event that brings together STRIDER riders and their families from all over the globe for the culmination of all Strider Racing and fun family events. This year’s festivities will also include on-site entertainment by the Radio Disney Road Crew. Come join in the camaraderie and good times.

The Strider World Championship on Saturday, October 13th will feature 2, 3, 4 and 5-year-old racers from North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. Any racer who has participated in a Strider World Cup race this year is eligible. Racers may also qualify and get extra track time before the big race by attending Friday’s (October 12) Last Chance Qualifying practice to become eligible for the World Championship being held the next day.

Every racer will earn a medal for participation in the race and the top eight finishers in each age group will be awarded trophies during a finish line podium ceremony. At the end, there will be lots of big smiles, and the 2-year-old, 3-year-old, 4-year-old and 5-year-old World Champions will be crowned. The toddler trophy ceremonies are always a treat for camera-clicking parents.

The race entry fee is $25 for both the Championship and Last Chance Qualifier during pre-registration. The cost is $25 for the Championship and $10 for the Last Chance Qualifier for registration at the event. All participants will receive a goodie bag valued at over $50! Registration is limited to the first 200 racers. For more information or to pre-register, visit striderworldchampionship.com.

In addition to world championship racing, bring the whole crew to the Sarasota Kids Fest, which will include the Free Strider Adventure Zone, which is a safe and fun STRIDER bike test ride area for children 18 months to 5 years of age. There will be free loaner bikes and helmets provided at the Adventure Zone both days. Additional events that weekend include the STRIDER beach parade and an outing to the new Payne Park, the region’s newest playground and skate park. The luxurious Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel will be hosting the World Championship guests. Located directly on Sarasota's world-renowned beaches, the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel and Strider have teamed up to offer beachfront rooms, multiple swimming pools, free evening child care and open-air trolley rides to shuttle riders and family between the hotel and the track on both days. Special Strider rates start at $99 per night for families up to five. Rooms are limited so book your room early and mention "Strider World Championship" to receive your discount. For hotel details, visit HelmsleySandcastle.com.

“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 with Strider 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!”

“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.”