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Beat the Heat Challenge at Brasstown Bald fights childhood obesity

Published: May. 28, 2009

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is presenting competitive cyclists with a seemingly irresistible challenge: race 4,784 feet to the top of Brasstown Bald Mountain in Ellijay, Ga., to help raise awareness about childhood obesity and create excitement for the return of Tour de Georgia, which in on hiatus this year.
The Beat the Heat Challenge will take place July 18 and 19 at Falling Waters, a mountain retreat in north Georgia. The two-day event caters to cyclists of all levels and features a myriad of physical activities, including cycling, time trials, criteriums, mountain biking and duathlons.

Beat the Heat’s signature event, the Georgia Natural Gas Beat the Heat Ride, is a 100K challenge bicycle ride that starts at Falling Waters and finishes at the top of the world-famous Brasstown Bald Mountain. Notable professional riders will participate in the ride and set the climb time to beat. After traversing an elevation of 4,784 feet, riders will join spectators for a one-of-a-kind Tour de France viewing party atop Brasstown Bald Mountain. The Tour de France will be taking place at the same time and at the same elevation.
Last year, the Tour de Georgia raised more than $400,000 for Children’s Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service. With the support of the Tour de Georgia Foundation, Children’s launched Beat the Heat this year to continue generating support for its wellness initiatives from multi-sport and cycling enthusiasts.
"We applaud Children’s for the organization's proactive work to reduce childhood obesity and support the Tour's return,” said George Hincapie. "I encourage all cyclists and tri-athletes in the Southeast to come to Brasstown to support both Children’s and the return of the Tour."
True to its mission, Beat the Heat’s two-day itinerary seeks to educate and engage both the athlete and the athlete's family.
Guests are invited to visit the free Fit Families Expo, where exhibitors and sponsors will teach families about leading healthier lives. Other signature events include:
• Falling Waters X-Country Challenge—Cross-country mountain bike race with more than 3,000 feet of climbing (and descending) with single track trails and short distances on either gravel or pavement
• TTs (Time Trials) —Challenging bike run for professionals, featuring an 8.24-mile loop that climbs out of Falling Waters with a 1,000-foot elevation gain and fast descents
• Kids Duathlon—For children ages 6 to 17, this ride takes place in the deep conservation areas of Falling Waters
• Streets, Creeks and Sneaks 7-mile Trail Run—Challenging, uphill mountain run
• Streets, Creeks and Sneaks 5K—Exhilarating run with modest elevation changes
Visit BeatTheHeatGA.com for more information about admission, registration, times and dates.