Bike race to span 24 hours

Montana’s first USA Cycling-sanctioned 24-hour mountain bike race — 24 Hours of Flathead — will be held at Herron Park near Kalispell on Aug. 31.

The event will benefit nonprofit organizations such as Dream Adaptive, BLAST and Eagle Mount that improve the lives of disabled people. These organizations facilitate recreational opportunities for the disabled and provide adaptive equipment.

The race has a personal meaning for volunteer coordinators Tia Celentano and Heather Cauffman.

Celentano’s sister, who was a championship rider, was in a horse accident in Florida that left her paralyzed. Cauffman’s boyfriend was in a mountain biking accident in Whitefish that left him paralyzed as well.

Both have watched their loved ones struggle with day-to-day activities and their inability to continue doing the sports that defined who they were. Getting into a sport or hobby that allows them to feel whole again can have an enormous positive influence in their lives.

“This is a nonprofit event to bring awareness to the challenges along with providing recreational opportunities and adaptive equipment to people living in Montana with paralysis,” Celentano said. “We want to help as many people as we can to experience the freedom from their physical obstacles when enjoying exciting activities.”

24 Hours of Flathead provides an 8-mile course through the difficult trail terrain of Herron Park. Spectators are invited to cheer the racers on while being entertained with music by 17 Mile and The Hasslers. Prizes will be awarded at Herron Park immediately following the race.

Visit www.24hoursof

flathead.org for race details.