Some of that boosted confidence was on full display at the 2015 STRIDER World Championship in Rapid City, South Dakota. The event, which took place in August 2105, brought together 240 toddler racers from six countries to compete in balance bike races.
The event also included special needs races, which featured 40 additional racers.
The championship was the culmination of STRIDER's 2015 race series, which included races in Florida, California, Pennsylvania and Utah. Racers from Japan took home the gold in the 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old heats, while a Rapid City-native won the 2-year-old division.
STRIDER has already begun planning the 2016 race series, with races planned in Salt Lake City, Utah; Spokane, Washington; Lincoln, Nebraska; Atlanta, Georgia and more to come.
The Course
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An overhead shot of the STRIDER Championship race course.
On Your Mark. Get Set. GO!
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Racers take off to start one of the many races.
Picking Up Speed
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Racers crouch to make themselves more aerodynamic as another race begins.
Go for the Gold
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Special Olympics athletes race along the course.
Water Hazard
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A racer tries to find his way through the fountain portion of the course.
Up and Down
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Racer traverse over one of the course's many obstacles.
Spinning Your Wheels
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Another racer pauses for some fun in the fountain portion of the course.
Finish Line
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A racer from Japan crosses the finish line.
On the Podium
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Special Olympics athletes celebrate on the podium after their race.
End of the Night
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All the racers and parents gather for a group photo after the day's events.
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