Does anybody have a good definition of the phrase "bike-a-thon"? I guess it was derived from the word marathon, but instead of walking or running, you ride a bicycle.
If anyone can get a dictionary definition, please provide a citation (include edition, year, page #, etc.). You can make great citations at http://www.easybib.com/. Thank you!
2007-04-10 03:03:02 · 6 answers · asked by Joshua Z 4 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Thanks everyone that answered so far. Your answers are very helpful!
Can anybody define it without the word "marathon", or include that definition in your definition of "bike-a-thon"? Thanks again!
2007-04-10 03:24:53 · update #1
A bike-a-thon is a bicycle marathon, as you suggested. It is primarily used to raise money for an organization, and people sponsor the person on the bike for so many cents or dollars per mile, or just donate a flat amount for the cause.
The person planning to ride the bike would go around to family, friends, neighbors, etc, and seek sponsors, and then go and collect the money after the race is over. The winner would receive a trophy. The people who raise the most money often get prizes, as well.
2007-04-10 03:10:42 · answer #1 · answered by sacanda_trina 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
actually, the first use of a "thon" word was telethon, as in people would answer telephones to take pledges as a fundraiser (the Jerry Lewis telethon is a good example)
the word marathon has nothing to do with fundraising, but is defined as a long event, or a task that takes a lot of physical endurance and/or energy
so a bike-a-thon or walk-a-thon are events to raise money, centering around a particular physical activity... I have even heard of horse-a-thons, swim-a-thons, and bowl-a-thons, all to raise money for a charity
2007-04-10 13:18:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is pretty much whatever an organizer of a cycling event says it is. Unlike "marathon" which is clearly defined as 26.2 miles, a "bike-a-thon" has no set meaning. If somebody running an organized tour wants to call it a bike-a-thon, he/she can surely do that. The only real distance specific terms in cycling are "century" meaning 100 miles ride, or "metric century" meaning 100 km ride.
2007-04-10 10:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by Jay P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say a bike-a-thon is a charity event to raise money. Similar to a walk-a-thon but with bike riding instead of walking. People pledge money, sometimes per mile sometimes a flat amount for the person who is riding.
2007-04-10 10:38:48 · answer #4 · answered by jennifer 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At our school, it is a means of raising money. The kids get sponsors, and then on the day of the bike-a-thon, they have a bike rally first, and teach safety, and then the kids ride around a specific "trail" in the village.
The kids collect money according to how many "laps" they completed, and prizes are awarded for the winners, and for the biggest fundraisers.
2007-04-10 10:17:01 · answer #5 · answered by NorthvilleNY 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is like a marathon but for bikes is a racing with bikes
2007-04-10 10:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by »Stalker«® 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋