REDMOND — More than 1,000 BMX racers, and many more family and fans, packed the First Interstate Bank Center on Saturday for a weekend event that attracted riders from throughout the region.

USA BMX’s Great Northwest Nationals kicked off Friday morning with open practice and preliminaries, continued through Saturday with qualifiers, and commences on Sunday with a slate full of finals in the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center indoor arena.

Competitors came from as far as Southern California and British Columbia to take part in the event, which was canceled the last two years due to COVID-19.

They ranged in age and experience — from toddlers navigating an obstacle-filled course for the first time, to seniors who have long-toured the northwest BMX circuit.

“It’s too much fun to get back and see everyone,” said Larry Kopperud, who brought his children down to compete in Redmond before the pandemic and was happy to be back for the 2022 edition. The family travels to a number of races throughout the Pacific Northwest — but the Great Northwest Nationals is one of the highlights.

Kopperud rode bikes recreationally around the Southern California neighborhood where he grew up. Now living in Bremerton, Wash., his children got into the sport at a young age. At 12 and 14 years old, they plan their summers around BMX competitions.

“They like this more than the team sports and the school sports,” said Kopperud. “They get to kind of lead themselves, compete how they want to.”

Locals are competing as well and several secured places in the Sunday finals. They include Jet Arzaga, 15, of Redmond, Banyon Howell, 16, of Bend, and 50-year-old Bend rider Michelle Goodin.

Redmond has produced two rising stars in the BMX community who are traveling the nation to compete at some of the sport’s biggest events: 15-year-old Cyrus Russell, who attends the Redmond Proficiency Academy and Ryley Rojas, who has made a name for himself on the national level.

Russell has been riding for more than nine years, ever since he took his first nervous trip over a steep dirt jump.

“Once I did that, I was fine and this was fun,” he said.

About six years ago, Russell took his hobby to the next level. His family started traveling to regional and national competitions. Most recently, the family traveled to South Carolina, where Russell qualified for the world championships in France in July.

“Now we’re just raising money to try and get there,” he said.

Russell works out in the gym in the offseason, strengthening his legs and working on his cardio. He competes twice a week at the Smith Rock BMX track in Redmond, perfecting his form and working to get faster.

“Just anything I can do to get my time down,” he said.

Finals kick off at 8 a.m. on Sunday.