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The Decathlon and LIVESTRONG(R) Launch Competition to Crown Wall Street's Best Athlete

NEW YORK, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning today, bankers, traders, advisors and analysts move rivalries from conference rooms and trading floors to the athletic arena as registration opens for The Decathlon - an athletic competition crowning "Wall Street's Best Athlete."

Competitors from the world of high finance will converge on New York City on Sunday, October 10th to compete in 10 athletic events testing speed, power, endurance, and agility, while raising money to benefit LIVESTRONG - the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization founded by cancer survivor and 7-time Tour de France champion cyclist Lance Armstrong.

"Thanks in large part to our partnership with LIVESTRONG, this year's event is poised to be hugely successful and competitive," notes The Decathlon's co-creator, Marc Hodulich, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor and an inspiration behind the event. "I'm anxious to see some incredible athletic and fundraising performances, especially given our unique donation format which should definitely catch any savvy investor's interest."

The Decathlon (http://www.TheDecathlon.org) utilizes a performance-based pledging format which encourages competitors to tailor their training regimens to maximize donations. Last year's leading fundraiser, John Withrow of Macquarie Group, concentrated on his strength which proved enticing to donors who pledged various amounts for each successful repetition in the "dips" competition. The former NCAA All-American wrestler at the University of Pittsburgh completed 66 reps to win that event.

Included in The Decathlon are events like the 400-meter run, football throw, 40-yard dash, pull-ups, and body weight bench press. Participants are required to raise a minimum of $3,000 in order to compete.

"We are delighted that The Decathlon has joined the LIVESTRONG movement to reduce the global burden of cancer," said Phil Hills, LIVESTRONG Executive Vice President. "We have found an ambitious and committed partner and are grateful for their support."

"This event holds a special place in my heart," notes 2009 winner Kyle Peterson of Sageview Capital. "My father, who has been the biggest inspiration in my life, is currently battling cancer. I look forward to competing again this year to raise even more awareness and money for this worthy cause."

In its inaugural year, The Decathlon ranked among LIVESTRONG's highest-grossing 2009 grassroots fundraisers, raising more than $140,000 for the fight against cancer. This year, The Decathlon aims to shatter its previous record and earn a reputation as LIVESTRONG's preeminent fundraising event.

"I'm confident that our competitors will rise to the occasion and make The Decathlon a fundraiser that serves as a benchmark for the financial services and non-profit communities," added Hodulich.

For information on corporate sponsorships, contact Dave Maloney at (201) 926-1559 or dave@thedecathlon.org.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Decathlon