Riders ignore hail to honour teenager who died

Riders wait for the BMX park to dry out during the Ben Brown memorial contest at the Pohe Island Skate Park on Saturday.Photo/Michael Cunningham

Even hail didn't deter BMX enthusiasts from riding in memory of a Whangarei teenage passionate rider who died of meningococcal disease.

About 30 BMX riders from the ages of five to 50 years turned up at the Pohe Island Skate Park on Riverside Drive on Saturday to remember Ben Brown.

The 18-year-old died in August 2011, two days after being diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection and sent home from Whangarei Hospital's emergency department.

Ben had a passion for BMX riding and, according to those in the sport, had the talent to go professional.

One of the event organisers, Alan Montefiore, said the meet attracted about 80 participants every year since 2012 but only about 30 attended on Saturday because of the rain and hail.

Mr Montefiore said nationally recognised riders such as Bevan Cowan and Mike Bonsi were among those that took part from as far away as Cambridge.

Races were organised where riders won spot prizes and organisers named Cody Reti as winner of the Ben Brown Memorial trophy.

He said although the weather failed to dampen the riders' spirits, organisers would change the event dates from 2015 to either early or later in the year.