Saturday cyclists, runners and multi-sport athletes alike have an opportunity to test their early-season fitness.

The students in my sport event management class at Methodist University are hosting a bike ride (66, 44, and 22 miles), a run (10km and 5km), and duathlon in Wade, NC. This event is to raise funds for a cure for Crohn's disease and colitis. The start and finish point for the ride is at the Wade Fire Station. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the ride is at 9 a.m. The running events will begin at 9:15 a.m. Online registration is available on Active.com. The ride is on a 22-mile loop. Run routes are out and back and are virtually flat. The entry fee for this event is $20.

Early in the spring semester, my students met with Troy McManus from Crankin for Crohn's and decided to help his non-profit organization through hosting an event.

"The mission of Crankin' for Crohn's is to encourage all people to participate in bicycling without regard to age or expertise for the benefit of helping fund research for a cure of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis," McManus said. "We promote all aspects of bicycling with special emphasis on bicycle safety and bicyclists' rights and responsibilities and general health and fitness. We also seek to enhance communications among cyclists to provide opportunities for bicycling and socializing with others who may or may not be affected with the diseases, but feel strongly that finding a cure is important."

Crankin for Crohn's will use cycling as a tool to raise awareness, educate, and raise funds to be used in the research through direct cooperation of the Crohn's and Colitis foundation of America. All funds passed on to the CCFA will be earmarked for research.

After his return from a deployment in Iraq in April 2007, Army Staff Sgt. McManus started the Crankin for Crohn's organization. McManus said "The purpose of our organization is to raise awareness and funds for research to help find a cure for Crohn's disease and colitis using cycling as a tool. Due to the fact that my brother Todd has been battling both Crohn's and colitis for 31 years, I know firsthand, what terrible diseases they are."

"Being a cyclist I have combined my passion for cycling with the need for more research and started Crankin for Crohn's," McManus said.

McManus said his goal is to raise $50,000 and that all funds raised will be given directly to the CCFA.

Those interested in making a donation to the group reach the group via e-mail at crankinforcrohns@aol.com or call; 910-429-0556.

Contact Greg Combs by e-mail him at gcombs@methodist.edu.