Lance Armstrong to Race in Howard County Oct. 7

Lance Armstrong will compete side-by-side with fellow cancer survivors in the third-annual Half Full Triathlon on Oct. 7 in Howard County.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults announced the world-famous biker will compete in the event, which includes a .9-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.

Armstrong will compete in the cancer survivor wave, which begins at 7:30 a.m., according to the Ulman Cancer Fund.

Have you ever competed in a triathlon? Tell us in comments.

"This race is a great example of what cancer survivorship is all about—not just surviving this disease, but truly living life on your own terms," said Armstrong in a statement.

"I couldn't be more excited to welcome Lance back to my hometown to support an event benefiting the organization I created with my family in college," said Doug Ulman, founder of the Ulman Cancer Fund and CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. "Lance's support of the Ulman Cancer Fund and the young adult cancer movement has been and continues to be invaluable."

The announcement comes at a pivotal time for Armstrong, who recently decided to no longer fight against doping charges levied against him.

Recently, news broke that Armstrong won't be able to compete in next month's Chicago Marathon due to a lifetime ban by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. ESPN.com reported Armstrong was considering running with the Livestrong team in the Oct. 7 Chicago Marathon, but was disqualified because the event is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, which adheres to USADA regulations.

Armstrong has long denied the doping allegations levied against him, but last month he decided not to continue the fight against charges that he used performance enhancing drugs.

Due to the doping charges, Armstrong, 41, was forced by the USADA to give up his seven Tour de France titles.

In a statment Armstrong released after he decided to stop fighting the charges he said he would concentrate on fundraising for his foundation, according to the Washington Post.

The Ulman Cancer Fund was quick to stand behind the biker, reported Explore Howard.

"Our relationship and work and partnership with (the Lance Armstrong Foundation) has been focused on his work against cancer, which hasn't changed," said Ulman Cancer Fund President and CEO Brook Yetso, according to Explore Howard.

On Wednesday morning, Armstrong tweeted, "Can't wait to race w/ fellow survivors in the @halffulltri benefiting the @UlmanCancerFnd on Oct. 7th."

County Executive Ken Ulman, who is Doug Ulman's brother, responded to Armstrong by tweeting, "Thank you for all of your support! Looking forward to seeing you again in #HoCo."

The Half Full Triathlon begins with a .9 mile swim in Centennial Lake, continues with a 53-mile bike ride around parts of western Howard County and concludes with a 13.1 mile run west of Ellicott City.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Patch. 

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