LONG BEACH – The first year, he did it from a stroller. The second and third, from a wagon. And now, during his fourth, the soon-to-be four-year-old made his first solo attempt from astride a tiny, yellow bike with training wheels.

Eric Walden is a veteran of the Children’s Clinic Beach Walk but the cyclist did not have much time to talk and ignored comments from amazed spectators’ early Saturday morning.

Zoooooom …… Walden was speeding his way around the 5K-shoreline bike path, leaving his parents out of breath and way behind. They never had a chance of catching up with their energetic son who thay said has enjoyed terrorizing their Seal Beach neighborhood with his bike since the age of 2.

The fund-raiser, in its twelfth year, benefits uninsured children and families of the community who use the nonprofit children’s medical clinic. Organizers said they are hoping to raise awareness and between $45,000-$50,000 for the more than 30,000 visits they receive each year. About 700 walkers and 100 volunteers showed up for the event and county Supervisor Don Knabe arranged for a school busload of children from the International School to participate.

Walden’s mother, Susan, made sure her son knew why he was participating in the walk. The little boy, who wears glasses and a patch over his right eye, understands it’s for a good cause.

	"He’s at the doctor’s a lot," she said explaining that Eric has asthma and vision problems. "He knows it’s important for kids to be able to go to the doctor when they are sick ’cause he’s been there a lot."

Gale Sanders was walking and holding up a sign representing the "pathological workers." The Long Beach Memorial Medical Center employee works in client services of the pathology department and considers herself 6 be a big supporter of the clinic.

She challenged all the departments at the hospital to walk next year.

The Marina Green also featured a hearty breakfast, a live band playing tropical-flavored -music to motivate participants and tables of volunteer career coaches to advise youngsters on career choices.