In the final round, Cowabunga had to win just one of two races to claim the third annual bed race title.
Lucky for team members Joey Concannon, Bryce Campbell, Erin McLennan, John Gangnon and captain Jake Taylor the group narrowly beat the Dream Team in the first race. As Cowabunga rounded the turn and raced back to the finish line, one of its rear wheels buckled and the pushers had to lift a corner of the cart for half the course.
“We had extra wheels, but the spokes were demolished,” Taylor said.
The group of Noblesville High School alumni has participated all three years and Cowabunga’s win marked the first time team YoungLife did not take the checkered flag.
“It feels amazing,” Taylor said. “It gets bigger every year. We have fun and it’s for a great cause.
The Bed Race is organized by the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville and Noblesville Parks and Recreation Dept. To increase the event’s exposure, the race was held the same morning as the Noblesville Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Old Mill Festival and Nickel Plate Arts Weekend events.
“Raising scholarship money is fantastic and combined with everything else going on is what makes Noblesville Noblesville – that small town feel. It’s what makes this community a community,” said Asst. Director for Noblesville Parks and Recreation Brandon Bennett. “It’s just a portion of this weekend. It’s cool to see everything going on this weekend.”
Boys & Girls Club Unit Director Abby Stutesman was also ecstatic about the event’s third year.
“People are learning about what the bed race is. Bed race is not an odd term anymore,” she said.
Proceeds from the event will be used to support youth summer camp scholarships for organizations.
“There have been a lot of requests for assistance,” Stutesman said. “Summertime is crucial hours for youth. If they don’t have opportunities there are ways for trouble to find them. This helps take the burden off families.”
