Alexandre Bilodeau spokesperson for the 2nd annual Urban Duathlon, "The business community's fun and friendly challenge" to benefit Sainte-Justine UHC

MONTREAL, May 2, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Young Leaders Circle of the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation invites you to the second annual Urban Duathlon, "a fun and friendly challenge for businesspeople" on Wednesday, May 30 at Place Ville Marie in downtown Montreal. The event, a combined foot and BIXI bike relay race, with Alexandre Bilodeau as spokesperson and presented by National Bank, will bring together some 450 participants from the business, media and sports communities in a friendly competition to benefit the children of Quebec.

This year, the Urban Duathlon organizing committee has set an ambitious fundraising target of over $250,000, which will go to finance new brain disease research at Sainte-Justine UHC aimed at discoveries into the causes of autism, schizophrenia and intellectual disabilities - serious illnesses that affect one in five young Quebecers.

Between now and May 30, approximately 150 teams - each consisting of 3 competitors: 2 "Bixcyclists" and one runner - must raise a minimum of $750 to enter the event. By taking part in the fundraising drive, participants have a chance of winning the Club Med Grand Prize - an all-inclusive holiday for 2 at Club Med Phuket in Thailand or Club Med Bali in Indonesia, including round-trip air fare kindly provided with the compliments of Qatar Airways.* There are lots of other prizes in store for participants, including tickets for 2 to destinations served by Porter Airlines, overnights at Fairmont hotels, Opus bicycles and iPad3 notepads.

*Reservations subject to availability at Club Med at Qatar Airways.

Mathieu Roy of TVA Sports and Tobie Bureau Huot of NRJ Montréal will be there to co-host the event, while Canadian Olympic Champion Alexandre Bilodeau will be available for interviews. Alexandre is issuing a personal appeal today: "I'd like to invite everyone to go online and make a donation or enter a team of their own. To do this, please visit duathlonurbain.org. We're also inviting everyone to come down to Place Ville Marie during lunch hour on May 30 to cheer the participants on...starting off on a BIXI bike or running…for the love of children!"

This event is made possible thanks to financial support from National Bank as well as other generous sponsors and contributors.

KEY INFO - Urban Duathlon:

Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Location: Place Ville Marie, corner McGill College Avenue and Cathcart Street, downtown Montreal

Times: Registration 11:00 am, race starts at 12:30 pm and prizes will be awarded at 2:00 pm

Clothing: Fun and unique costume

Donations and team entries: duathlonurbain.org

NOTE TO MEDIA:
A video of the 2011 Urban Duathlon is available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y2AXTndPSRI

or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Andréane Beaumier
Consultant, Young Leaders Circle
Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation
514-345-4931, extension 5221
[email protected]a