Special to FIN

What started as one veteran’s personal challenge to support his fellow veterans has grown into a unique cycling event that attracts cyclists to Iredell County from across the nation.

The 5th annual Take That Hill cycling challenge is slated for Saturday, October 5, at Southern Distilling Company.

Take That Hill participants can opt to ride for 35, 60 or 80 miles, but the culmination of each course is a climb up Barrett Mountain, with an elevation gain of 700 feet over two miles—followed by a breathtaking descent back down the mountain.

All event proceeds support Purple Heart Homes, and its work to provide safe, barrier-free housing for aging and service-disabled Veterans.

The event regularly attracts para athletes and veterans, with a group of riders from the Solder Recovery Unit at Fort Liberty planning to participate in this year’s event.

Advance registration fees range from $55 to $75, depending on distance selected.

Non-cyclists are invited to participate in the free “Workout of the Day” led by fitness trainer Joe Baker.

A post-race awards ceremony and celebration at Southern Distilling will feature family-friendly activities, including live music by Joshua Ray Hudson, food trucks, giant board games, sidewalk chalk art and temporary tattoos.

Heroes Plaza

For this year’s event, organizers are unveiling a new feature to allow supporters to honor or remember a veteran of their choice. With a $100 donation, donors can reserve a sign at the event on Heroes Plaza alongside the Southern Distilling patio, with the name, branch and years of service, and a photo of their chosen veteran. Reserve your sign by September 20 at phhusa.org/heroesplaza.

Guest Speaker

Retired U.S. Army Col. Patty Collins, a world-record holding Paralympian, will serve as the guest speaker.

Collins, now director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, lost her left leg after being hit by a car while cycling to work in 2006. Already 15 years into her military career, Patty returned to active service after her rehabilitation, serving another nine years before retiring from the Joint Special Operations Command in 2015. Collins represented the 2016 U.S. Summer Paralympics team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and holds the world record for the 70.3 km distance triathlon for female amputees.

About Take that Hill

Take That Hill originated in 2020, when U.S. Army Veteran Brad Borders was looking for a way to support veterans at a time many traditional fundraising events were being cancelled. Inspired by a fellow cyclist who had completed a feat known as “Everesting” by riding up and down a short hill until reaching the cumulative high of Mt. Everest (29,032 feet), Borders decided to take on a similar venture himself. He landed on scaling Barrett Mountain 16 times for a total of 10,000 feet. Soon, word spread, other cyclists joined him, and Take That Hill was born.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the event and register at phhusa.org/takethathill.

About Purple Heart Homes

Co-founded by two combat-wounded veterans, Purple Heart Homes has been bringing communities together to provide safe, barrier-free housing solutions for qualified veterans since its founding in 2008. A nonprofit organization based in Statesville, PHH supports service-connected disabled and senior veterans from all eras across the continental U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico through a growing network of local chapters. Programs include critical home repairs and renovations to help veterans live independently in their homes, home ownership programs, and transitional housing through partnerships with other nonprofit organizations. Learn more at phhusa.org.