Spenser Lynass and Jared Bassett have staged many great battles on the track during their prep careers. On Sunday, they’ll battle indoors for the first time — on treadmills.

The two seniors came up with the Treadmill Challenge 2008 as a way to raise money for the Mr. Bulldog and Mr. MHS pageants they are a part of.

Starting at 1 p.m. Sunday at Pony Village Mall, the distance standouts will run face to face on treadmills for 90 minutes to see who can run farther — the distance measured based on how fast each has his treadmill set.

Lynass said both runners have been getting businesses and friends to pledge money for the cause. In addition, a can for donations will be set up at the site of the event Sunday. The winner of the challenge will get two-thirds of that pot for his charity, while the loser will get one third.

Lynass, who competes next weekend in the Mr. Bulldog pageant, is raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network, the common charity for that event.

Bassett, who competes in the Mr. MHS pageant on April 12, is raising money for South Coast Head Start.

North Bend track coach Steve Greif will serve as public address announcer for the challenge and both runners will have personal trainers who will try to keep them hydrated and cool, which Lynass found can be a challenge running on a treadmill indoors the one time he tried it.

“We’re going to have a bunch of stuff to fit the atmosphere,” Lynass said, mentioning Greif and music. “It will be pretty fun.”

Lynass and Bassett both have been standouts throughout their careers, and have had several thrilling head-to-head races. Bassett won the Class 5A cross country title last fall and Lynass is the two-time defending champion in the Circle the Bay road race.

Bassett recently signed a letter of intent to compete in college for the University of Portland. Lynass will sign his letter of intent Monday to compete for Colorado State University. The 3:30 p.m. signing ceremony will be held in the North Bend gymnasium lobby.