Participants will run and walk through University Research Park on May 3

Here’s your chance to take part in a unique local sports event in our University Research Park. The Peak 10 University City Duathlon on May 3 features a 5K run on the greenway, a 12-mile bike ride on nearby streets and a 3K dash to the finish. Sign up now to compete, to volunteer on race day or to have your business join University City Partners, Peak 10, Bike Line and Run For Your Life in making this year’s Duathlon the best ever.

Local businesses make it happen

The University City Duathlon is a totally homegrown sports event, launched in 2011 by business owners Shane Hockensmith of Bike Line and Chris Elkins of Run For Your Life-University. The run-bike-run duathlon format seemed ideal for showcasing their stores and Charlotte’s most extensive network of greenways and trails. University City Partners has been a major supporter since the start.

New this year: 5K run and Children’s Sprint

The University City Duathlon gets some important changes this year. For the first time, people who only want to run can take part in a separate 5K foot race. Little ones now have their own event, too: a Children’s Sprint. The event also moves a week later, to the first Saturday of May.
Each year the Duathlon raises thousands of dollars for local charities. Bethany Christian Services, an adoption service, and Circle de Luz, dedicated to helping young Latinas succeed in high school and college, will again receive proceeds from the event.

How you can help

The Duathlon depends on strong community support for its success. More than 80 volunteers are needed to hand out water, oversee registration and provide other support.
Businesses also help as sponsors and event vendors. Peak 10 hosts the race staging area on its campus near the greenways. Shane and Chris expect to have 20 vendors on race morning, including Farmer’s BBQ, Jason’s Deli, the new Tide drycleaners and Adidas.

Learn more and get training!

Visit http://UniversityCityDuathlon.org and https://www.facebook.com/BikeLineofCharlotte for more event details including on-line registration, race categories and how to volunteer. You also can see course maps to help you with training.
To learn more about helping sponsor the event or to be a vendor, contact Chris or Shane.

• Run For Your Life is at 1816 E. Arbors Drive near Trader Joe’s. Reach Chris Elkins at chriselk@runforyourlife.com or 704-503-1105.
• Bike Line is at 8528 University City Blvd. in the Harris Teeter shopping center near UNC Charlotte. Reach Shane Hockensmith at bikeline@bellsouth.net or 704-549-8804.