2023 Race Details
Sunday, June 11, 2023 | Gold Bar Park | REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
Registration closes when the event is sold out or on June 8, 2023, whichever comes first- sorry, no exceptions.
In conjunction with our team sponsors Mud Sweat and Gears, Ottalaus Inc, Bell, Roasti Coffee Co, and RebelZen Fitness, Vixen Racing will be hosting a FUN children’s and youth mountain biking race June 11, 2023 in Gold Bar Park.
All kids and youth aged 16 and under are welcome to sign up to race. Please see “Race Categories” below for age and wheel size recommendations. Please only pick one category per child to keep the race as fair as possible.
WHEN: Sunday, June 11, 2023, race plate pick-up opens at 8:30am. Online registration closes June 8, 2023 or when the race sells out, whichever comes first.
WHERE: Gold Bar Park -10955 50 St NW, Edmonton, AB (Check-in Registration will be near Picnic Area 4)
Note: Parking is limited and filled up last year. If possible, please use the parking available in Rundle Park or Capilano Park and ride to the event area.
REGISTER: Eventbrite Registration is open, but some categories are now sold out!
Cancellations will not be refunded within one week of the event.
During the registration process, you will be asked if you would like to donate to the Edmonton Mountain Bike Park. This park is not funded by the City of Edmonton and all funds donated through the event will be forwarded to the Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance to begin construction of the park. More details can be found here.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Email Marcie at vixenracingmtb@gmail.com if you are able to lend a hand on race day! Adult volunteer draw prizes courtesy of our sponsors Alley Kat Brewing and Roasti Coffee.
RACE CATEGORIES:
*For the categories that typically have very high numbers of registrants, they are further broken down this year into “casual rider” and “experienced rider.” A “casual rider” would typically be a child who rides their bicycle for fun or transportation, with other children/teens, or in a recreational setting. An “experienced rider” may include children or teens who have participated in cycling coaching clinics/programs, mountain bike group rides, mountain bike races, skills practice, children who’s parent(s) are avid mountain bikers, etc. Pending registration numbers, organizers reserve the right to combine experienced and casual racers in an age category.
**2023 race course will be the same or very similar to the 2022 race course; changes may be made to accommodate day-of trail conditions.
Strider
The “Strider” category encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers. Bikes in this category must be a balance/run/strider bike (no pedals) or a tricycle.
Only those with tricycle, strider, and push bikes will be allowed to race in this category. Recommended age for Striders is 6 years old and under. The Striders Race will have a primary focus on fun, offering no technical sections. The race will be on grass and be an out-and-back format around a predefined object. Boys and girls will race together in this category unless there is a high number of registrations.
Striders will race on the grass around pylons in an open field.
Little Pedalers
The “Little Pedaler” category is new this year, and also encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers. This category was added specifically for kids who have graduated from a strider to a pedal bike, but not quite ready to race in the “Little Ripper” category. Recommended age is 6 years-old and under. The Little Peddlers will have a primary focus on fun, offering no technical sections. Boys and girls will race together in this category unless there are high numbers of registrants. Bikes in this category must have a tire size of 20″ or less.
Little Pedalers will race on both grass and a small section of dirt trail.
Take a look at the race course (one lap required)
This is a new category to allow striders and children beginning to ride with pedals on their bikes in two separate categories.
Little Rippers
The “Little Ripper” category also encompasses the youngest first-time mountain bike racers. Recommended age for Little Rippers is 8 years old and under. The Little Rippers Race will have a primary focus on fun, offering very few technical sections. Boys and girls will race separately in this category. Bikes in this category have a recommended tire size of 24″ or less.
Take a look at the Little Rippers race course!
Gnarly
The “Gnarly” category is offered for beginners. Riders in this category will be first-time racers from all age groups and graduates from the “Little Rippers” race category. The emphasis of this racecourse will be fun, with mild technical sections to challenge the riders’ abilities and introduce them to mountain bike racing. The recommended age group for this category is 9 to 12. Boys and girls will race separately in this category. Bikes in this category have a recommended tire size of 26″ or less.
Take a look at the race course (one lap required).
Geared
The “Geared” category is offered for riders who have tried a Trailblazers mountain bike race in the past and are looking for a new challenge. The emphasis of this race will be fun, with increased technical skills development. Riders in the Geared category will primarily be graduates from the Gnarly category and older first-time racers. The recommended age group for this category is 11 to 14. Boys and girls will race together but will have separate awards in this category.
Take a look at the race course (two laps are required).*
Dialed
This category offers a mix of difficult climbs/descents and technical single-track sections. The recommended age group for this race category is kids ages 13 to 16. Boys and girls will race together but will have separate awards in this category.
Take a look at the race course (two laps are required).*
Event Schedule:
Please note the schedule may change; please check back closer to race day to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
| 8:30am | Race plate pick-up opens (Goldbar Park, near picnic site #4) |
| 9:30am | Race plate cut-off for Striders & Little Pedalers |
| 10am | Striders boys race |
| ~10:05am | Striders girls race |
| ~10:10am | Little Pedalers boys race-experienced |
| ~10:15am | Little Pedalers boys race- casual |
| ~10:20am | Little Pedalers girls race- experienced |
| ~10:25am | Little Pedalers girls race- casual |
| ~10:35am | Strider & Little Pedalers awards & door prizes |
| 10:10am | Race plate cut off for Little Rippers |
| 10:40am | Little Rippers boys race- experienced (1 lap) |
| ~10:42am | Little Rippers boys race- casual (1 lap) |
| ~10:52am | Little Rippers girls race- experienced (1 lap) |
| ~10:54am | Little Rippers girls race- casual (1 lap) |
| 11:05am | Little Rippers awards & prize draws & door prizes |
| 10:45am | Race plate cut off for Gnarly |
| 11:15am | Gnarly boys race- experienced (1 lap) |
| ~11:18am | Gnarly girls race – experienced (1 lap) |
| ~11:21am | Gnarly boys race- casual (1 lap) |
| ~11:24am | Gnarly girls race – casual (1 lap) |
| ~12:15pm | Gnarly awards & door prizes & door prizes |
| 12:00pm | Race plate cut off for Geared & Dialed |
| 12:30pm | Geared boys race (2 laps) |
| ~12:32pm | Geared girls race (2 laps) |
| ~1:22pm | Dialed boys race (2 laps) |
| ~1:24pm | Dialed girls race (2 laps) |
| ~2:10pm | Geared & Dialed awards & door prizes |
Important schedule notes:
- “Race Plate Pick-Up”: The registration table opens for parents to pick up each child’s race plate at 8:30 am. Each race category has a cut-off time for picking up the respective race plate. Race plates will not be handed out after the cut-off times noted below- this will be strictly enforced to ensure that our volunteers have the time they need to record race results. Do not expect to get a race plate after the cut-off time.
- If it rains on race day, the race course may be modified to ensure damage is not done to the single-track trails. If there is lightning, there will be a pause in the schedule until the lightning is over; the race will continue, rain or shine. No refunds will be provided. Please stay tuned to the website and Instagram for weather updates if needed.
REQUIREMENTS & WHAT TO BRING:
Please note that each racer REQUIRES a well-fitted, CSA-approved bicycle helmet, close-toed shoes, and a mountain bike or strider bike in good working repair in order to participate in the race. Parents should bring water, food, a lawn chair, weather-appropriate clothing (for during the race and staying to spectate afterward), sunscreen, bug spray, and any medications or supplies that could potentially be required. Light snacks will be provided for racers, and basic First Aid equipment will be available on site.
Tickets are available for purchase online only. Tickets are limited and are expected to sell out prior to the event.
For concerns or inquiries, please contact at Marcie at 780-405-1095 or email vixenracingmtb@gmail.com.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Are there prizes?
A: Door prizes and swag will be available to all kids who register online. Names are automatically entered into a draw for prizes. Prizes and swag are courtesy of Mud, Sweat & Gears, Bell Helmets, Ottalus Inc, Alberta Bicycle Association, and EMBA.
Q. Are boys and girls racing separately?
A. Boys and girls will race separately in all categories except Striders and Little Pedalers. All children are encouraged to pick the category they best identify with.
Q. Do you need volunteers?
A. YES, if you would like to volunteer please contact Marcie at 780-405-1095 or email marcie@marcieleier.ca. We have prize draws (courtesy of our sponsors) for our volunteers.
Q. What happens if it rains?
A. The race will continue rain or shine, no refunds will be provided. If necessary, the race course will be altered to prevent damage to the single track. If there is a storm, the event will be paused until the lightning has subsided, but the race will continue in the rain.
Huge thanks to our team supporters, prize sponsors, and volunteers!
