SHELBURNE, N.H. — The 23rd annual Wildman Biathlon, one of the toughest multi-sport events in New England, is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, rain or shine.

Athletes from all over the United States, Canada and some years even other countries, come to New Hampshire’s White Mountains to compete as an individual or in teams in the Wildman. For 23 years athletes have been challenging their endurance amid some of the most spectacular scenery in the Northeast. The Wildman Biathlon consists of a 10K run in the picturesque town of Shelburne, a 22.3-mile bicycle trek through Gorham towards a three-mile hill climb up the Polecat ski trail to the finish line at the summit of Wildcat Mountain, located in Pinkham Notch.

The race begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The winners usually cross the finish line about two hours and fifteen minutes later. Though many individual competitors complete the entire race, many others choose to combine their abilities as two-person and three-person teams.

The entry fees for the 2011 Wildman Biathlon are $50 for an individual, $100 for a two-person team and $150 for a three-person team. This price goes up by $10 per person after July 30. The entry fee includes a limited edition Wildman T-shirt, a ride down from the summit on the Wildcat Mountain Scenic Gondola, a support person gondola ticket and one meal ticket for the “apres-race” meal. Additional meal tickets and gondola tickets are available for purchase.

The Wildman Biathlon is a fundraising event for the Coos County RSVP, a Tri-County CAP sponsored program. RSVP is hoping to have a great sponsorship turnout this year as they have lost the other half of their state funding. This leaves RSVP trying to raise in excess of $17,000. RSVP matches individuals age 55 and older with volunteer opportunities at nonprofit and public agencies in their communities.

For more information visit www.ncia.net/wildman. For information about RSVP or how to become a sponsor, contact Kathy or Nancy at (603) 752-4103, email [email protected] or write to Coos County RSVP, 30 Exchange St., Berlin, NH 03570.