Racers from across Canada and some from the United States will be in Nanaimo to race beginning Friday at the newly revamped Marie Davidson BMX Park. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

watch the gate

Nearly 1,000 riders expected for Nanaimo leg of BMX Nationals series

Jul 4, 2025 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — A newly upgraded track at Beban Park will get its first international competition test this weekend.

The Marie Davidson BMX Park is hosting the Harbour City Nationals, Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, one of seven similar events across the country, attracting riders from across North America.

Nanaimo BMX club president Craig Hashimoto told NanaimoNewsNOW they’re planning for nearly 1,000 riders to compete over three days, with some coming from as far away as Florida.

“This is for riders who are seeking to get nationally ranked not only in Canada, but also in the U.S., so although it is a Canadian national, U.S. riders can also get points towards their national age group ranking. We’re expecting to see riders from across Canada and the U.S.”

About 1,000 riders are expected over the weekend for Nanaimo’s leg of the nationwide race series. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Others from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington state and other areas have already arrived and competed in a weekly club race at the track on Wednesday, July 2.

Hashimoto said this weekend’s competition will see some of the best amateur racing around, as well as some high-level professional riders racing.

The club and the track have hosted the Nationals series before, however this year is very different, courtesy of a total revamp of the track, which opened back up to the public in December 2024.

Hashimoto said it’s resulted in a lot more interest from riders than in years past.

“We’re seeing a lot more riders excited to come out and experience it. We’ve had some other events, like our provincial series earlier in the year, and the feedback from those races where we had riders from outside coming in, is that this is by far, probably the best facility in B.C. for BMX.”

The public is invited to watch the racing for free, with a gravel pathway running along the track’s southern edge offering a view of the entire raceway.

Local riders, as well as those from out of town, got used to the new track during a race session on Wednesday, July 2. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In addition to the new course layout, club volunteers have worked to ensure the entire facility off Labieux Rd. is the best it can be.

Donations from the community have helped speed the work along at a relentless pace over the last couple of years.

“We were able to build a brand new, much larger deck, which provides a much better viewing area around our concession. We’ve had the roofs redone, new soffits, new gutters, new siding on all the buildings. Everything’s been repainted…bleachers were redone with new boards. There’s just been a lot of activity to make sure that the rest of the facility that’s been here since 1991 matches the amazing track.”

Nationals series events have already been held in Chilliwack, Kelowna and Kingston, Ontario this year, with events planned in August in Milton, Ontario and Prince George.

Some of Canada’s best amateur riders will be competing as part of a nationwide series. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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