photo provided

photo provided

On Oct. 24, athletes will get moving in the sixth annual Barrier Island ECOthon, a race that takes place over Capers Island, Dewees Island, Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.

The race, which entails a 5 mile paddle, a 10 mile run, a 0.6 mile swim and a 20 mile bike ride dispersed throughout the islands, is intended to fully immerse the particpant in nature while challenging his abilities.

Race innovator and local resident Brett Carlson explained that the race will benefit two charitable organizations, LIVESTRONG (Lance Armstrong Foundation) and the Charleston Tibetan Society (CTS).

Carlson has a personal tie to cancer, as his mother lost her 10-year battle with cancer on April 1, 2006.

Carlson said that he "has always been a spiritual person and has always been interested in philosophy and religion."

In 2000 when he began attending teachings by Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Dakpa Togyal, Carlson said that he "received immeasurable benefit from his guidance."

Shortly after, Carlson began training for triathlons on the very islands where the ECOthon takes place. As he pushed himself, Carlson noticed a shift in his mental perspective and he wanted to share this experience with others.

2005 took him to India to a Tibetan orphanage, where he saw the happiest children he had ever encountered- despite their destitution.

All of the children slept in one room on the floor; they had few material possessions and clothes.

"Compared to so many of the children here [in the States] who have so much, these children were incredibly happy given their circumstances," he said, noting that children must remain in the orphanage until they finish their education, as opposed to being adopted.

Carlson visited the Tibetan orphanage again in 2008.

Carlson said that there were 85 participants in last year's race, but he is hoping for 100 this year.

Swim clinics are offered (the next one is Oct. 16) on the Isle of Palms for those wanting to become more comfortable swimming in the open ocean or to fine-tune strokes in preparation for the Barrier Island ECOthon.

Reserve your spot with David Cross, Charleston's Holistic Endurance Coach, by e-mailing him at dcross5@hotmail.com. Coastal Expeditions is offering a two-hour kayak- training session where they'll teach a proper racing stroke, how to get back in the kayak if one flips over, and how to save others if they flip.

Reservations can be made by calling 843-884-7684.

The race's entry fee is $85.

Visit www.ecothon.blogspot.com for more information.

(Helen Hammond can be reached at Helen@moultrienews.com.)