Hinsdale South Young Life Giving Exercise Fundraiser a 'Spin'

Anyone who might be looking for staff member Mark Dunning at around 6 a.m. Saturday will likely see him atop a spin bike at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Burr Ridge.

But this isn’t a new exercise regimen for Dunning. Instead, he is participating in the inaugural Young Life Spinathon fundraiser for the faith-based Christian organization.

“It’s not my thing normally, but I will certainly be doing it,” he said.

The community is invited to join Young Life for one or more of six, 50-minute spin fitness classes beginning at 6 a.m. and running hourly, with the last class ending at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, April 16. Five Seasons Sports Club is located at 6901 S. Madison St.

For $50, community members can join in person or sponsor a rider for one of the classes, with all proceeds going to the Young Life organization. Businesses can also sponsor bikes and have logos and advertisements adorn the bikes for $200.

So far, the event includes three century riders, those that will participate in all six of the 50-minute sessions. George Hood will be riding all six hours, a small feat compared to the three Guinness World Records he has set in stationary bike riding.

Hood’s first two record-setting rides took place at Five Seasons, including a 111-hour, 11-minute, 11-second performance in July 2007. He has since extended his record to 222 hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds.

The Young Life Spinathon fundraiser is the brainchild of Emily Cain, the group’s steering committee chair and a spin instructor.

“We were trying to think of a way we could involve more people in the community and invite them in, and she came up with the spinathon,” Dunning said.

After the event, people can learn more about Young Life during a reception. Refreshments will be served. There will also be lunch available for purchase.

Dunning said the purpose of the Young Life organization is to be a mentoring program to students.

“The best way we know how to do that is through relationships,” he said. “You’ll find us at coffee shops and restaurants and throwing a frisbee to help facilitate conversations and help students make wise decisions."

Members of the Young Life organization hope to fill all 20 seats in all six classes.

Currently, Dunning said about 70 participants are involved, some who plan to ride, and others who are sponsoring riders.

The organization hopes to make the Young Life Spinathon fundraiser an annual event.

“We have ambitions to do it again,” Dunning said.

For complete event details, download a registration form, and return it to any HSYL board member, or mail it to: Hinsdale South Young Life, 836 West Hinsdale Ave., Hinsdale, IL 60521-3973.

More information about the Hinsdale South Young Life program can be found at http://HinsdaleSouth.YoungLife.org.