SPINNING FOR A GOOD CAUSE: SCHWINN CYCLING ENTHUSIAST PLANS ANOTHER CHARITY MARATHON IN YEREVAN

This Saturday (September 29) will see yet another charity spinning marathon in front of Armenia Marriott Hotel in Yerevan which organizers say will serve a good cause and will be a unique combination of sport, fun and entertainment. The third annual National Charity Schwinn Cycling Marathon, which has already become a tradition in Armenia, will bring together dozens of amateur cyclists who will attempt to keep stationary bicycles in motion for six hours in the open air near Republic Square.
Last year’s similar action raised some 1,300,000 drams (nearly $3,800) that were spent on the good cause of supplying Yerevan’s Special School for Deaf Children and Children with Hearing Disabilities with modern amenities.
The initiator of these traditional spinfests, Andrzej Hentszel, from Poland, hopes they can raise even more money for the needs of the same school this year.
“The previous two spinning marathons were so successful that we have decided to keep up the good tradition and organize another charity marathon this year,” Hentszel says. “This is not just a sport that does good for the participants. We are pleased that these marathons are staged for the good cause of helping children.”
This attitude is reflected in the motto of the event: “We all can feel like true winners, no one loses!”
Hentszel, a 36-year-old fitness consultant at Armenia Marriott Hotel, says Schwinn cycling (or an indoor training on a spinning bike) is becoming more and more popular with local Armenians who now join foreigners and expatriates in fitness classes. The two previous spinning marathons, according to him, have contributed to this growing popularity.
(Schwinn “Spinning” – first brought to Armenia by Hentszel and Marriott in 2004 – provides a training method alternative to outdoor cycling. It gained international popularity in the late 1990s as an indoor training on a special bike accompanied by loud music with a clear beat that offers high intensity and shorter-duration workout. Enjoying the social aspect of group participation, spinners are guided by an instructor who offers extra motivation, visual imagery, technique and training advice.)
Among this year’s marathon spinners are the teams of Austrian Airlines, HSBC, Zvartnots Airport, Yerevan Brandy Company, the U.S. Embassy, QSI School, as well as two teams conventionally called Team America and Norwegian People that are comprised of Americans and Norwegians working and staying in Armenia. Additionally, three bicycles are sponsored by Armenia Marriot Hotel, which also covers all expenses connected with the preparation of the event and will support the school with the entire revenue made on that day in its outside restaurant Vienna Café.
The marathon will start at noon sharp and will last for six hours. Throughout the event participants and guests will be entertained by singers, dancers, comedians, and will have a chance to watch fashion and martial art shows.
Each participant will offer a symbolic contribution of 10,000 AMD (about $30) for each hour spent on the bike. Raffle tickets, available for 2,000 AMD (about $6) on the spot, will give a chance to win a flight to Vienna for one person and a weekend stay for up to two people at Marriot Hotel in the Austrian capital. Various gifts and prizes will also be available for the raffle participants.
Hentszel and his colleague and event co-organizer Mher Grigoryan will attempt to repeat the achievements they made during the two previous marathons by spinning all six hours nonstop.

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