Pedal for PATH, a Spin-a-thon planned to raise money for the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health, will take place Tuesday, March 16 in the spin room at the Marshall Recreation Center on Marshall University’s Huntington campus.

The event is open to the public, which means participants do not have to be members of the Marshall Recreation Center. It is being organized by the Marshall University School of Medicine AMA (American Medical Association) and the Marshall Recreation Center.

The Paul Ambrose Trail for Health is a proposed 26-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail system in Huntington named in honor of Paul Ambrose, a Marshall University graduate and young doctor who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Once completed, the trail will run from Westmoreland to Guyandotte.

Juliet Wolford, a second-year medical student and president of the Marshall University School of Medicine AMA, said all proceeds from the Spin-a-thon will benefit PATH. Anyone interested in participating may ride in the Spin-a-thon, sponsor a rider or simply donate money to PATH.

Time slots are for 50 minutes, and ride times begin at 4 p.m. with the last slot available at 11 p.m. Each slot begins on the hour, every hour. For more information or to register, visit http://www.active.com/cycling/huntington-wv/pedal-for-path-2010.

To sponsor a rider or donate money to PATH, e-mail pedalforpath@gmail.com. You also may download a Pedal for PATH pledge form to keep track of your pledges.

“We hope riders will download the Pledge for PATH form from the active Web site and earn as many pledges as they can,” Wolford said.

She explained that spinning is an organized activity. The stationary bikes are specially designed to simulate road bikes. “Whether you are a novice or pro, you spin at your own ability,” Wolford said. “This may mean riding the full 50 minutes or less.”

Prizes will be awarded for the top three pledge earners. Anyone who signs up before Feb. 28 will receive a t-shirt. Cost to register is $20 before Feb. 28 and $25 thereafter. In-person registration will be open on the day of the event.

For more information, contact Wolford at wolford31@marshall.edu or Elise Henning at emhenning@gmail.com.