In+The+News

As volunteer coordinator of the charity Workforce Initiative for Supportive Housing (WISH), Lisa Howell is used to assigning volunteers to help homeless families transition to temporary, and hopefully permanent, housing in the Charlotte area. On Saturday, about 70 of WISH's volunteers will help people move in a different way. The respective proprietors of a cycling shop and a running shop in Charlotte are coordinating the first University City Decathlon on April 30. Proceeds from the event will benefit WISH. In return, WISH volunteers will assist in many aspects of the USA Triathlon-sanctioned race. The Decathlon will help kick off the annual Bike Charlotte festivities. Through May 15, such events as the Mayor's bike ride, cycling races and family-oriented guided rides will celebrate cycling and bike awareness on the city's streets, roads and parks. The UC Decathlon is Bike Charlotte's first multi-sport event in its 11-year history, according to Bike Charlotte director Neal Boyd. It is also the first time a Bike Charlotte event has benefitted a specific charity. Chris Elkins, owner of the University City area Run For Your Life running shop, and Shane Hockensmith, owner of Bike Line of Charlotte, first started talking last summer about hosting an endurance race. Either formally or informally, they both have participated in Bike Charlotte events before, including the environmental awareness Green Goats and Gardens event, which on the same day will host a children's bicycle rodeo to promote bike awareness and safety. Elkins and Hockensmith's sports of choice are running and cycling, of course, and do not include swimming, the third component of a traditional triathlon. So they decided to limit the scope of their event. "One of most difficult things about (organizing) a triathlon is the swimming," said Hockensmith. "I can walk out my front door and go running. I can walk outside and go for a bike ride. I can't go outside and go for a swim." In their planning stages, Elkins and Hockensmith anticipated having at least 150 participants. Understanding the logistics of such a huge undertaking, Boyd recommended to Hockensmith that the organizers partner with a non-profit agency. Having backed a separate faith-based agency which supported providing housing for the homeless, Hockensmith heeded the advice of a friend who recommended WISH, which has a similar mission. According to Howell, WISH focuses on homeless families, providing them with rent subsidies to secure housing for 2-3 years. Most WISH volunteers are members of various churches who work together in "Hope Teams" offering the needy families their support and encouragement as they settle into their new homes. On Saturday, those same volunteers will perform such tasks as helping with race registration, pointing runners and cyclists in the right direction, and passing out water and sports drink. The Decathlon will take place at the University City Research Park off of Harris Boulevard. Starting at the corner of Governor Hunt Road and David Taylor Drive, participants will run five kilometers, bike 19 kilometers, and run three more kilometers. Prizes will be awarded and champions will be crowned in numerous age groups in both men's and women's divisions. Competitors also have the option of teaming up in relays. "Even if you're not a great athlete," said Elkins. "If you can run for an hour-and-a-half and bike for an hour-and-a-half, it doesn't have to be about trying to win a race. It's just an accomplishment to complete it." <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Participants are required to be a member of USA Triathlon. Otherwise, paying for a one-day provisional membership will tack on an extra $10 to the registration fee. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Last week, Hockensmith says there were almost 100 people signed up. Registrations will be accepted up to and including the day of the race, but that too will add an extra $10 on the base registration fee.