COLUMBUS, OH – May 19, 2020 – Pelotonia is announcing a redefined experience for 2020, designed to further unite collective efforts in advancing cancer research. My Pelotonia, a new participation platform, will launch on June 2, and will allow participants to define inspiring personal challenges and fundraising goals for this year in lieu of the community’s traditional three-day Ride Weekend.

Pelotonia will transform into a more personal experience, asking participants “What will your Pelotonia 2020 be?” and encouraging them to set individual fundraising and activity goals. While cycling is still encouraged, this year the experience is about more than just riding. By asking the community to define their own Pelotonia, the doors are open for anyone to participate and become a legend. Participants can set their own one-time or cumulative activity goal with My Pelotonia to ride, walk, run, volunteer or even create their own activity – whatever feels right to honor and support cancer research. In doing so, participants will embody Pelotonia’s 2020 Be Legendary campaign, uniting with the Pelotonia community in spirit and purpose.

“The Pelotonia community has come together in profound ways over the past 12 years, and this year will be no different. Our legendary community is unwavering in Pelotonia’s goal to fund accelerated cancer research, united in a shared sense of duty to those diagnosed with this disease,” said Doug Ulman, Pelotonia President and CEO. “While so much has recently changed, the need for critical research funding and the goal of Pelotonia has not. My Pelotonia will be an experience that is more inclusive and personal with more ways to engage and participate than ever before.”

The My Pelotonia platform will provide an online community for people to share their training and fundraising ideas, or simply cheer one another on along with the inspirational stories of everyday legends pushing forward despite challenges. Pelotonia will celebrate all efforts the weekend of August 7 with an entertaining and motivating live broadcast that mirrors the Pelotonia Opening Ceremony program the community has come to love.

To allow for even greater participation, the 2020 registration fee has been waived along with required fundraising commitments historically tied to Ride distances. In addition, Pelotonia will not have a minimum age requirement this year and the fundraising deadline has been extended to October 31, 2020. The My Pelotonia platform will share goal suggestions, and Pelotonia community leaders are already setting examples: Doug Ulman will ride from Columbus to Cincinnati as his 100+ mile goal and Cindy Hilsheimer, Pelotonia Board Member and Managing Principal, BeecherHill, will walk 200 miles and send an equal number of thank you notes to generous supporters; and Dr. Bill Farrar, CEO of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, will ride 43 miles, with his wife, to recognize the number of years that he has treated patients at The James.

“As the global scientific community shifts its focus to the important work of navigating through and overcoming COVID-19, it is paramount that we ensure that scientific discovery continues in cancer. We must maintain momentum in basic, translational, clinical and population research studies so that we continue to improve our cancer prevention and bring new clinical therapies to our patients, which will ultimately lead to better outcomes for our community,” says Raphael E. Pollock, MD, PhD, director of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and surgical oncologist with the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). “We are grateful for the steadfast support and efforts of the Pelotonia community of riders, corporate partners, and volunteers.”

All Riders, Virtual Riders and Volunteers already signed up for Pelotonia will be able to update fundraising and activity goals for My Pelotonia starting June 2. Participants who have already paid a registration fee will have the option to direct the fee toward cancer research or defer it to 2021 registration. Incentives will be provided to My Pelotonia participants when they reach various designated fundraising levels.

“The Huntington peloton and all our colleagues take great pride in partnering and volunteering to make a difference as part of the legendary efforts of Pelotonia, and we are especially inspired to create our Pelotonia journey during this challenging time,” said Steve Steinour, Chairman, President and CEO of Huntington and Pelotonia Board Member.

With 100 percent of every dollar raised, Pelotonia will continue to provide critical funds for innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC-James, a portion of these funds supports the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. Additionally, Pelotonia has collaborated with the OSUCCC-James to create a research fund, with an initial pledge of $1 million, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the cancer community.

For more information on Pelotonia, please visit https://pelotonia.org/rise/. To read more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact and pelotonia.org/institute.

Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund innovative 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 over $208 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 and including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. For more information, visit pelotonia.org or tune in to our podcast ONE GOAL.