Durham group trains for Race Across America

Henry Kaestner’s team for this year’s race is different, though.

“We’re the only team in Race Across America that represents a city. This is all about Durham,” he said.

Seven Durham leaders will join Kaestner on the race. As ambassadors for Durham, they hope to encourage volunteers to give time and money to charities there.

Chip Denton, the headmaster at Trinity School in Durham, is one of the riders. As the school year ends, Denton said he has a full plate.

“I needed to peak in my training right at the time when everything here at school's peaking, too,” he said.

The race involves riding six half-hour blocks every day for eight days.

“I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a great challenge, but it's going to be a great opportunity,” he said.

Members of the Durham team said they don’t expect to win the race. For them, it's about something else.

“This is really about Durham. If we can really move the needle in volunteering and in giving in Durham, we’ve won,” Kaestner said.

The Durham Cares group will begin the race on June 12.