The University of Otago physiology department is calling for members of the public to get the wheels turning for a good cause in a cycle challenge at the end of February.
The event is being held to raise money for the Heart Foundation and comprises teams of up to four people cycling for 10 minutes per team on a stationary bicycle in the Wall Street Mall.
Teams are encouraged to raise money by being sponsored for every kilometre they complete.
Department of physiology departmental administrator Tracey Fleet said the event was suitable for anyone wanting to get involved, not just athletes.
‘‘It's 10 minutes per team and the idea is to see how far your team can get in that time - it will be good fun,'' Ms Fleet said.
‘‘We have a few teams of one registered and there is even one guy who has asked for his own bike and will ride for the full three hours.
‘‘There will be five bikes including the extra one, all facing in towards each other.
‘‘We will have a map of the South Island and after each round we will add up the kilometres on each bike and plot the distance cycled - we want to go from coast to coast.''
Organisers had arranged for some special guests to take part as well.
‘‘We are going to have some Highlanders there for the first hour and a-half,'' she said. ‘‘It's a chance for people to challenge them and test their own fitness.''
The department chose to raise money for the Heart Foundation because there were many academics in the department who researched heart disease.
‘‘The Heart Foundation have also been really good to us over the years in terms of project funding.
‘‘We thought it would be a really good way to give something back.''
The event will take place from 11am to 2pm on Thursday, February 25. Twenty-six teams have registered for the event so far and there is space for 18 more.
For more information or to register email physiology@otago.ac.nz
- by David Beck
