36 Winchester Cyclists Ride in Pan-Mass Challenge

A total of 36 residents from Winchester will pedal their way into fundraising history as participants in the 33rd annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge on Aug. 4 and 5.

They will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $36 million to support adult and pediatric cancer research and treatment 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. Most 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.

“The PMC is the gold standard of athletic fundraising events,” said Billy Starr, Pan-Massachusetts Challenge founder and executive director. “PMCers are as committed to raising money for cancer research as they are to pedaling the miles. PMC cyclists are all heart and soul.” 

During PMC weekend, individual cyclists become part of one 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. 

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 2012, 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 following riders from Winchester will participate in the charity ride:

eGiftID: 

Last Name

First Name

BA0031

Aalerud

Bill

DB0286

Bergstrom

Donald

SB0217

Bonnell

Steven

PW0063

Brennan

Patricia

TB0101

Brennan

Thomas

DB0189

Brewster

David

BC0204

Carroll

Brian

BC0201

Crehan-O'Callahan

Bernadette

PD0132

Devlin

Peter

JF0131

Ferreira

Joe

GF0034

Freeman

Gail

BG0148

Goodwin

Bill

HG0011

Hale

Cindy

JH0157

Hale

J.D.

RH0147

Hale

Rosie

JJ0063

Jackson

Jared

JK0266

Kinchen

Jason

NK0043

Koeniger

Nick

SK0081

Koman

Stuart

EL0051

Langlois

Elena

BM0259

Moran

Ben

PM0008

Morris

Paul

KN0012

Nacar

Kenan

DN0016

Nace

Dave

CP0154

Parker

Christopher

JP0222

Peters

Joe

DR0001

Richardson

David

DS0151

Saliba

David

AS0273

Shepard

Andrew

SS0321

Smith

Susan Duffy

BS0113

Stevens

Bruce

NS0121

Sunder

Neelakantan

MT0151

Timin

Madeleine

JV0080

Van Paassen

Jeroen

FV0006

Von Mering

Frederick

JW0042

Wilson

John

-The Pan-Mass Challenge submitted this piece.