“Endurance skaters are always looking for new and different ways to test their endurance,” said Don Patton. Don, co-leader of the Orlando huddle, is participating in this year’s “24 Hour Roller Montreal” inline skating event in Canada. “I don’t know the origins of the race,” he said, “but a 24-hour race was an inevitable addition to the list of available endurance opportunities.”

In its seventh year, the “24 Hour Roller Montreal” relay race is formed of teams up to 10 inline skaters and takes place from 2 p.m. Saturday, August 7, to 2 p.m. Sunday, August 8. Skaters race on a 2.7 mile racetrack just outside of Montreal in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Notre-Dame Island. The five categories—Elite (17 mph average), Fitness (12+ mph), Recreational, Duo, and Solo—allow for skaters of all types to participate in the event.

Don will be skating with a group of other FCA-E members. “Currently, we have two confirmed and four ‘maybes,’” he said, “but we need more confirmations.” Don and the other FCA-E members involved with the event desire to have a strong presence in order to be a light for Christ that other participants will notice.

“I’m looking for input from the team,” Don said, “but my initial thoughts are to have prayer time and possibly even a bible study.” Members of the team will also wear FCA-E gear as they race. “This year we should have our new inline skating skin suits available by race time.” These suits will help team FCA-E stand out in the crowd, drawing more attention to why they are racing and Who they are racing for. “We want the volume of skaters in attendance to notice the presence of a Christian organization and to open up opportunities to minister to those in attendance.”