Mountain bike racers will ride a challenging course overlooking Summerland later this month in an event to raise money for humanitarian aid.
The Test of Humanity race, on Sept. 25, will raise money for Canadian Humanitarian’s projects in Ethiopia as well as for the food bank.
More than 100 racers, many of them from within British Columbia, will compete in the four-hour ride along a 10-kilometre loop.
Cycling legend Axel Merckx and his family will join the racers.
Nic Seaton, organizer of the event, said the course will challenge the riders.
“It’s got 280 metres of climbing, but it’s also got some really cool downhills,” he said.
The main course for adult riders begins off Morrow Avenue and goes through a series of nine climbs and numerous switchbacks.
Riders will complete as many loops as possible over four hours.
In addition to the main race, there will also be shorter courses for younger riders as well as scavenger hunts and other events for children.
Seaton said the idea for the race came when he and other members of the Okanagan chapter of Canadian Humanitarian were looking to raise money for relief work in Ethiopia.
Canadian Humanitarian is a non-religious, non-profit organization providing orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia with access to health care, education, vocational training and other basic necessities of life.
Registration for the race will continue until Sept. 22.
Those interested in participating are urged to e-mail Seaton at testofhumanity@gmail.com or phone 250-809-6764.