Kids, adults ‘try out’ Rock Hill’s BMX track at Olympic Day

They came in neon full-body gear with knee pads, gloves and helmets so large, you could barely see their eyes and the reflection of the hot June sun.

The 75 participants of Olympic Day at Rock Hill’s BMX Supercross Track braved the heat so they could “get some air” on the hilly dirt tracks without paying a dime.

The free event was open to anyone who wanted to “try the sport out,” said Mike King, BMX supervisor for Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Saturday’s Rock Hill event was one of over 1,800 Olympic Day events planned throughout the United States to “promote and celebrate Olympic values and sports participation,” according to the Rock Hill PRT.

The athletes were divided into 18 classes according to age and proficiency, King said. The youngest winner was barely 5 years old, and the oldest was in his 50s. After racing, many propped their bicycles on the fence and sprawled out in the shade together and waited to cheer on each other again.

Though the competitors flew down a ramp, only to have to pull their bikes back up immediately to brave the big bumps, the threat of getting scraped and bruised was no deterrent for even the smallest of racers.

“I came out today because I race a lot,” said 12-year-old Stephanie Beynon of Rock Hill, who watched as a fellow girl competitor raced by in a pink helmet and pink tire rims. “I came to race and have fun, and ride, and work on stuff so I can get faster.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Kids, adults ‘try out’ Rock Hill’s BMX track at Olympic Day."