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Sun, Stars Out in Akron: Thousands Gather on Beautiful Day to Join LeBron James, NBA Standouts at Bikeathon

Posted on: Sunday, 25 June 2006, 12:00 CDT

By Kymberli Hagelberg, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Jun. 25--After two days of rain, thousands of bike riders and onlookers gathered on a breezy, warm Saturday morning for the second annual LeBron James King For Kids Bikeathon.

"This is what the weather is like all year long, every day, if you're downtown," Akron Deputy Mayor David Lieberthtold the crowd of 300 lucky Akron grade schoolers chosen to ride the three-mile course with James and other NBA stars.

The kids were selected to receive free bicycles and helmets based on their character.

Jennifer Pryor drove all the way from Arizona with her 7-month-old daughter, Hannah, to see her 11-year-old son, Korry Hooks, make the ride with James. Korry lives with his father, Kerry Hooks, in Akron during the school year.

"The air conditioner went out in Flagstaff (Ariz.)," Pryor said. "I put water bottles behind the baby to keep her cool," Pryor said. "We wouldn't have missed this."

Korry learned he would receive a free bike and ride in the bikeathon on his last day at Innes Middle School. "He's been bouncing off walls ever since," Pryor said.

The boy was supposed to leave for Pryor's home in Arizona two weeks ago, but his parents delayed the trip so he could participate in Saturday's event as a reward for his recent improvement in school.

"He's really turned things around since he became interested in science," Pryor said. "He got a high score on his proficiency test and is doing very well in math."

Ten-year-old Sean Greene coasted down the State Street hill, looking cool in a line of students all riding their new Schwinn Sting-Rays. They headed toward the starting gate in front of the Canal Park grandstand.

The low-slung bikes were built to look like choppers, complete with motorcycle-style seats, gleaming studs and chrome chain guards painted with flames.

"Sit up, straighten your helmet -- and smile!" a camera-wielding Deborah Greene called to her son.

Sean tugged at the chin strap of his helmet, adjusted his glasses and smiled at his mother and aunt, Liz Greene.

The Schumacher Academy student was chosen for the bikeathon by his principal, his mother said with pride. "He couldn't sleep at all last night," she said. "He seems so cool now."

Funds go to charity

The bikeathon, which includes an 8-mile course for adults and a 3-mile family ride, is a fundraiser of the James Family Foundation to benefit the Akron Area YMCA and the Akron Urban League.

Individual riders paid a $25 registration fee and families paid $50. Participants were encouraged to each raise $100 in pledges.

Kristie Ranney and her 9-year-old son, Tim McCarty, took part in the shorter family route. Ranney, of Akron, said she wanted to give Tim, who has cerebral palsy, a chance to ride his specialized bicycle.

"It's an adapted tricycle," Ranney said. "When he touches the pedals with his feet, a pulley system is activated that sets the bike in continued motion.

"This was an opportunity for him to ride outside on a flat street. On sidewalks, I worry because the pavement is uneven."

Organizers did not return calls to say whether this year's bikeathon had reached its goal of attracting more than 3,000 riders.

The ride did deliver on its promise of big-name athletes, who signed autographs and tossed T-shirts to fans.

Miami Heat player Dwyane Wade drew the loudest applause when introduced. He prompted squeals of approval from women each time he neared the side of the street.

Other celebrity NBA riders included Detroit Piston Richard Hamilton, Phoenix Sun Amare Stoudemire, Cleveland Cavaliers player Eric Snow and coach Mike Brown and the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year, New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornet Chris Paul.

Unlike last year, each celebrity donned a bike helmet. A haggard looking crew of volunteers busily plastered King for Kids stickers over the manufacturer's logo on the helmets so as not to compete with individual players' corporate sponsors.

Cannondale Corp. gave 50 black and gold 27-speed bicycles, emblazoned with the words "King James," to the celebrities and their families.

"We sized them to the celebrities," Cannondale project engineer Curt Davis said.

James received a customized model, complete with oversized wheels and frame to fit the basketball star, who is 6-foot-8.

"It was really great to make an incredible bike for such an incredible athlete," Davis said.

In addition to the live event, Microsoft, the event's main sponsor, broadcast the bikeathon live to 465 million views in a worldwide Webcast.

Reach Kymberli Hagelberg at 330-996-3038 or khagelberg@thebeaconjournal.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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