COLUMBUS, OH (July 31, 2019) Pelotonia, a non-profit organization that brings people together to accelerate funding for cancer research, will host their 11th annual bike ride Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4. The festivities will kick off Friday, August 2 with the Opening Ceremony, featuring guest speaker Dr. Sanjay Gupta, multiple Emmy award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and practicing neurosurgeon, and emcee Ethan Zohn, former professional soccer player, cancer survivor and winner of the hit reality television show Survivor Africa.

“The Pelotonia community continues to amaze me. What started as a bike ride, has become so much more due to the effort that every rider, virtual rider, and volunteer continues to make.” said Doug Ulman, President and CEO of Pelotonia. “This weekend is a celebration of all of their efforts which allows us to set our sights on bigger breakthroughs in life-saving cancer research – such as the research being supported by the recently announced Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. This is all possible because of the dedicated Pelotonia community who continues to prove every year that we are stronger together.”

Ride Weekend will begin on Friday, August 2 with an expo from 3 – 9 p.m. and Opening Ceremony program, broadcast live by Spectrum News 1, starting at 7 p.m. at McFerson Commons and North Bank Park in the Arena District. Gupta will share his excitement to be part of the Pelotonia community and the Greatest Team Ever.

“I see firsthand how innovative research, like that supported by Pelotonia, changes lives every day, both in my professional career and as the son of a cancer survivor,” said Gupta. “I’m honored to join the Pelotonia community this weekend and I am excited by the research vision being created with the recent announcement of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology.”

The Opening Ceremony will include performances from American singer-songwriter and cancer survivor Harry Hudson. Additional speakers include Michael Drake, The Ohio State University President; Lisa Hinkelman, Founder & CEO of ROX, cancer survivor and Pelotonia rider; Brian Baker, cancer survivor and Pelotonia rider; and Lachandra Baker, Pelotonia volunteer.

 

On Saturday, August 3, riders will head out for one- and two-day rides on routes ranging from 25 – 200 miles:

On Sunday, August 4, riders will participate in the following routes:

This year’s theme, What’s Your Arrow, emphasizes Pelotonia’s roots in a strong community, celebrating the many unique stories and triumphs of our diverse community. Since its founding in 2008, Pelotonia has raised nearly $200 million dollars for life-saving cancer research.

Thanks to Pelotonia’s major funding partners, Pelotonia is able to donate 100 percent of every dollar raised by riders, virtual riders and volunteers directly to The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). Participants have until Friday, October 4, 2019 to meet their fundraising commitment.

For more information on Pelotonia and ride weekend activities, please visit pelotonia.org. To read more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact.

 

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Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund life-saving cancer research. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Since its founding, Pelotonia has raised nearly $200 million for cancer research. Thanks to its generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Huntington Bank, L Brands Foundation, Peggy and Richard Santulli, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill Capital Management and Nationwide – Pelotonia is able to direct 100 percent of every dollar raised by its participants to cancer research at the OSUCCC-James. For more information, visit pelotonia.org.