STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Wilder Doan won’t turn two until Thanksgiving Day. But he has his first foot race under his little grey tennis shoes, with a little help from Mom.

Doan was one of more than 20 youngsters who took part in the Kinder Climb, an annual race up the lower portion of lower Warm Springs held for youngsters 11 and under in conjunction with the Baldy Hill Climb.

Wilder’s mother, Tracey Doan, alternated between picking Wilder up and letting him pick his own way up the steep slope one slow exaggerated step at a time.

Youngsters wore looks of determination as they ran up a steep hill on Lower Warm Springs.

“I’m carrying more than 20 pounds each time I pick him up and walk uphill,” she said.

The older youngsters ran their little hearts out as they sprinted up the hillside. Younger ones made their way up at a slower pace, big smiles on their faces as they seemed unconcerned with being the first at the top.

“It was really fun and I got a ribbon to hang on the wall with my other ribbon,” said seven-year-old Ava Boeger after she reached the top. “It was much easier than last year—I’m older and faster.”

Seven-year-old Clayton Young was jazzed by his second-place ribbon. In tow was his younger sister Ginny.

This youngster leaned into his journey.

“Her brother loved it so much she was excited to try it for herself,” said the kids’ mother Anne. “They mowed a path up the race course this year, which made it really nice.”

Some of the kids got a ride via Dad or Mom.

Wilder Doan makes his way uphill, albeit slowly.