Some 5,300 bicycle riders helped set a new record for an athletic fund-raising event by collecting $35 million in pledges for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge bike ride in August.
The money went to the Jimmy Fund for adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Organizers of the 29th annual bike ride across Massachusetts are particularly proud of their accomplishment because the entire amount raised goes to the charity; the sponsors underwrite the cost of producing the bike ride and provide in-kind services along with the 2,800 volunteers.
Athletic event fund-raising is a $1.6 billion a year industry; the Pan-Mass Challenge's $35 million is twice the amount ever raised for a charity by an athletic fund-raiser. As a comparison, the Livestrong Challenge events in Portland, Philadelphia and Austin in 2007 raised a total $8.85 million (see page 17, Livestrong annual report)(.pdf).
The 2008 cyclists represented 36 states and 8 countries. Each one had to raise $1,300 to $4,000 to participate, depending on the route chosen. About 90% raised more than their requirements. Although the amounts increase every year, the most popular routes “sell out” by the first week of February.
The Pan Mass Challenge is strict about contributions. Registered bicyclists must back their applications with credit cards to ensure their commitments are met, whether they ride or not.
The presenting sponsors Boston Red Sox Foundation and Overstock.com were joined by 200 other corporate sponsors to ensure that expenses were met. Said founder Billy Starr:
“That the PMC exceeded its fundraising goal in this very troubled economy is a tribute to PMCers’ commitment to raising money for cancer research and care. … It also shows that the importance of public and corporate funding for cancer research is widely understood.”
Registration of the Aug. 1-2, 2009, Pan-Mass Challenge opens Jan. 12 for alumni and Jan. 20 for newcomers at the Pan-Mass Challenge website.
Above video by fijalclarkski is from the 2007 Pan Mass challenge
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