Fitness experts help with Scituate Duathlon

By Paul E. Kandarian, Globe correspondent

Staffers from Fitness Together studios in Norwell and Cohasset are chipping in time and expertise to help train members of the Norwell, Quincy, and Duxbury Friendship Clubs for the first Scarecrow Scituate Duathlon on Oct. 17..

The event will raise money for the Friendship Clubs and for Women Living Authentically, a workshop being put together for next spring that organizers say is designed to ‘‘celebrate, inspire and empower’’ women. It is inspired by the work of writer, teacher and activist Parker Palmer and is being created with his team at Courage and Renewal Northeast at Wellesley College.

‘‘We invite individuals from across the region to join our Team Friendship,’’ said Steven Lichtman, president of Lifestyle Fitness Corp. ‘‘It promises to be a wonderful community event filled with fun and entertainment.’’

The Friendship Clubs provide outlets and resources for adults with developmental disabilities. Ground was recently broken for Friendship Home in Norwell, which will provide a respite for families with disabled children by giving the children a place to temporarily stay while the families can enjoy time away, said Wilma Goodhue, co-founder of Friendship Home.

The duathlon starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Cole Parkway Expo on Front Street, Scituate, and consists of a 1.5-mile run, a 12-mile bike ride, and a 3.2-mile run.

Participants will include triathletes and duathletes from the greater Boston area between the ages of 13 and 80, with multiple levels of involvement and ability. Goodhue said there is room for 600 participants, with about 400 having signed on as of early this week.

For information on the duathlon, visit scituateduathlon.com, or call 781-740-9507.