Thrive
Motorcyclists’ annual holiday toy run is Sunday
Participants must ride with their donated toys during the duration of the journey.
Bert King, owner of Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson, is hoping the local biker community can break a Guinness World Record and for a good cause.
Since he acquired the Clearwater motorcycle dealership nine years ago, King has continued a tradition that the previous owner established. The company’s annual holiday toy run will take place Sunday (Dec. 7).
To participate, riders are required to donate a gift. These will be given to the Lealman Fire District to distribute to underprivileged children in the community.
However, there’s a unique catch to receive the record of “largest motorcycle toy run.” Participants must ride with the toys on the approximately two and a half hour journey, King said.
He explained that the current Guinness World Record was set in the United Kingdom in 2014 by the Reading Toy Run. The event had 1,735 participants.
A Guinness adjudicator will be in attendance to document the ride and determine if a new record is created.
The trip, which starts and concludes at King’s dealership, will bring riders to St. Petersburg, Treasure Island and Pass-a-Grille. An after party at the OCC Road House & Museum will follow.
More than 1,300 people have pre-registered for the Sunday event. King expects more to sign up today and Sunday. Over 30 police motorcyclists will be present in order to shut down roads on the route.
Orange County Choppers founder – and American Chopper TV personality – Paul Teutul Sr. is scheduled to participate in the ride as well, King added. “The community’s coming together in a bigger way because everybody would like to bring this record to the U.S.A.”
However, he emphasized that the most important aspect of the event is serving local children.
“The kids we get to recognize do not have anything. By giving them a Christmas, it makes it really special,” King said. “You’re not only having fun doing something you like to do, but you’re doing something for a great cause and you’re giving these kids hope that there’s going to be a future out there.”
Participants also have to pay a fee to participate. The funds raised will benefit Bert’s Salute to America Foundation, which supports military and first responder families.
Local marketing company Our Town America is joining as a partner in the run this year.
“This is an event I’ve rode and participated in for years,” vice president Jim Pouba said. “When we had the opportunity to interact on a larger scale, we jumped all over it.”
It will kick off at 9:30 a.m. To learn more about the event and to register, visit this link.
