Triathlon training to fight poverty

By August 3, 2012

USA (MNN) — With the world’s attention riveted on London for the Olympic Games, we see many different athletes competing and training for physical fitness.

Food for the Hungry (FH) is also seeing a little training of their own, but not for a self-sought prize of a gold medal.

They launched the FH World Sports "Train With Us" campaign lasting from July 15 to the end of October.

For the campaign, FH U.S. President Dave Evans, FH Health Programs Director Carolyn Wetzel, and Christian musician Leeland Mooring are currently training for three different triathlons. Their goal is to each raise $2,000 to support FH’s international ministry.

FH’s ministries range from disaster relief to church development to water sanitation and agriculture. They have work in Asian, African, and Latin American countries. FH exists to end world poverty through their projects and encourage relationships with the Lord, ending spiritual poverty.

To raise support, Dave Evans is training for the Waterman’s Half Ironman Triathlon in Washington D.C. on October 13.

On his support page, Evans writes, “This triathlon is a great opportunity to challenge myself to be better and more. While I’m pressing through training aches and challenges, I'll be thinking about people in the developing world.”

Evans goes on to write, “I was just in the Philippines and talked with a family that has to travel several miles a day to get clean water. The job of walking long distances with heavy water pails is difficult, vigorous exercise. I'll be training and thinking of them, and how through raising money for Food for the Hungry, people like this family and others all over the world will be helped with water, education, farming and generating an income.”

Carolyn Wetzel will compete on August 25 in the Santa Barbara Triathlon Long Course. She says, “I’m excited to be able to combine two things I love: triathlons and the work FH does!”

And Leeland Mooring, the lead singer for the Christian band, Leeland, is training for the Ironman Austin 70.3 in Texas on October 28. Mooring states, “Beyond my personal training goal, I’ve set a goal to impact the lives of people living in poverty around the world.”

So far, for their consecutive goal of raising $6,000, the trio has raised $1,630 according to their support pages.

To donate to their cause fighting physical and spiritual poverty, click here and select the competitor you’d like to support. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will get a receipt from FH.

If you’re participating in a race before the end of October and would like to raise funds to support FH, click here to sign up.

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