Sports

This Weekend's Pan-Mass Challenge to Include 37 Hamilton and Wenham Riders

More than three dozen Hamilton and Wenham riders will be part of more than 5,500 bicyclists who will be pedaling this weekend.

Thirty-seven residents from Hamilton and Wenham will be among 5,500 cyclists in this year’s 34th annual Pan-Mass Challenge on Aug. 3 and 4, the nation’s first charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.

To make a donation to any of the riders, go to the PMC website and enter the rider name or the eGiftID that appears after their name. 

Hamilton

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David Becker DB0195

Theresa  Becker TB0090           

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Daniel Bukkhegyi DB0058

Michelle  Horgan MM0032

Thomas  Kelly TK0061

Molly Morin MM0479    

Jason Waldron JW0301  

Ken Wilson KW0154     

Jennifer Frain JF0267

Susan Burr SB0252        

Thomas Callahan TC0192         

Robert Clark RC0013          

Rufus  Clark RC0066           

Gretchen Easdon GE0004

Susan  Gribbell SG0201

Leigh Hatcher LH0148

Paul Lyden PL0088

Philip Murphy PM0013      

Timothy O''Brien TO0057  

Peter Richardson PR0003

Caitlin Waldron CW0073   

Mary Walsh MW0040         

Laura Wosepka LW0111 

Wenham

Daniel Bennett DB0252      

Rick Blume RB0241 

Amy Dolan AD0100 

Robin Ellis RL0015  

Sreven Ellis SE0030

Alan Evans AE0023 

Andrew Evans AE0056       

Robert Knowles RK0056    

Peter Locke PL0035

Iere Moroney MM0166       

Kevin O'Shea KO0050        

Moira Riccio MR0181          

Joseph Trustey JT0009       

Robert Worsfold RW0106

They will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $38 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund.

PMC riders range in age from 13 to 88. Some are seasoned tri-athletes while others are weekend warriors having trained for this event alone. Many PMC participants ride in honor of a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer. All share a passion and desire to one day find a cure for the disease. The average PMC cyclist trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises more than $6,000.  Doctors ride alongside their patients; grandparents ride with their grandchildren; and others show support from the sidelines in the form of donations and cheers. More than 300 riders are cancer survivors or current patients.

“It’s a powerful and emotional weekend for everyone involved,” says Billy Starr, Pan-Mass Challenge founder and executive director. “From the cyclists, to volunteers, staff and family and friends along the route, the PMC unifies 10,000 people for one weekend to make a difference and raise funds to eradicate cancer.”

During PMC weekend, individual cyclists unite to become one extended family. The camaraderie shared by 5,500 cyclists, more than 3,000 volunteers, and thousands of spectators, is one reason cyclists from 36 states and eight countries return to Massachusetts each August to participate in the PMC.

No other single athletic event raises or contributes more money to charity than the PMC. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $375 million for adult and pediatric cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC gives 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund, a rate of fundraising that is nearly unequaled within the $3 billion athletic fundraising event industry. In 2012, the PMC raised $37 million, accounting for more than 50 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. More than 230,000 individual contributions were made to last year’s PMC fundraising campaign.

The PMC is a fully supported bike-a-thon — with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation, and lodging — that runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. Cyclists choose from 11 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability. There are six two-day routes that range from 153 to 190 miles and five one-day rides that range from 25 to 110 miles. In 2013, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,300 to ride in the PMC. This commitment to the fundraising portion of the PMC is a testament to riders’ dedication to the cause and their belief in the PMC mission.

The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the New Balance Foundation. To become a virtual rider, or make a financial contribution to a rider from your town, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Checks can be made payable to PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, Mass. 02494.

 The above information was provided by Pan-Mass Challenge.


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