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Pelotonia Kids Expands in 2025 to Further Impact Pediatric Cancer Research

By The Pelotonia Team|April 17, 2025

Series of youth cycling events accelerates innovative research for childhood cancers through collaboration with the OSUCCC – James and Nationwide Children’s Hospital 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 17, 2025) – Pelotonia announced today the initial 2025 dates for Pelotonia Kids, a series of youth cycling events designed to inspire and engage the next generation of Pelotonia participants — with additional events to be added as community members commit to organize new kids rides and expand the program’s impact. In collaboration with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), 100 percent of every Pelotonia Kids participant-raised dollar is directed to innovative pediatric cancer research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.  
Pelotonia Kids launched in 2024 to provide children with the opportunity to participate in Pelotonia event experiences through fundraising and cycling at a younger age. A total of six kids rides raised $85,076 for pediatric cancer research in its first year.  
“Pelotonia Kids embodies the spirit of our grassroots movement, engaging the next generation of participants through energetic event experiences in various, local communities,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO and cancer survivor. “We are excited to continue to grow this initiative – which is fun for kids and adults – to reach even more neighborhoods and families, further accelerating innovative research that will improve the lives of children with cancer.” 
Pelotonia Kids 2025 Dates 
Pelotonia Kids kicks off 2025 with nine community events scheduled plus additional dates to be announced. Each event is organized by community volunteers in partnership with Pelotonia staff. Kids rides range in participant ages, route layouts and venue locations. Participants receive a Pelotonia Kids medal, t-shirt and other fun giveaways after crossing the finish line.  
In 2025, there are several returning kids rides as well as brand new Pelotonia Kids events. One of the new kids rides will be organized by associates from Pelotonia major funding partner Huntington Bank. Expanding participation beyond central Ohio into northwest Ohio, a new Pelotonia Kids event in Lima will be hosted by peloton team Gears and Beers. Community members interested in organizing additional Pelotonia Kids rides are encouraged to reach out to the organization to explore their plans, including new events yet this year.  
Youth participants can register for Pelotonia Kids 2025 rides at pelotoniakids.com, including: 
Accelerating Pediatric Cancer Research through Philanthropy 
Pelotonia Kids supports the groundbreaking work at two leading institutions focused on innovative pediatric cancer care and research. 
“The partnership between Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the OSUCCC – James has been transforming pediatric cancer care and research for years,” said Raphael Pollock, MD, PhD, director of the OSUCCC – James. “The collaboration in delivering radiation therapy and advancing proton therapy treatment and research is helping to shape the future of cancer treatment and provide hope for young patients.” 
The OSUCCC – James has a collaborative agreement with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to broaden the study of childhood cancer and accelerate the transfer of key research findings to the clinical setting. This partnership is stimulating novel research and developing collaborations in pediatric cancer-related radiation and proton therapy studies that will also have applications to adults.   
“Pelotonia Kids empowers our youngest participants to participate in philanthropy to support innovations in scientific research that will benefit children and their families,” said Apgar. "Their efforts are helping to drive meaningful progress and strengthen our mission of ending cancer.” 
Funds raised by Pelotonia Kids participants are directed to research that could improve diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for pediatric cancer patients by leading investigators and physicians at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Center for Childhood Cancer Research is part of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, one of the top 10 National Institutes of Health-funded, free-standing pediatric research facilities in the U.S. 
“Nationwide Children’s Hospital is honored to be a part of this program with Pelotonia, in collaboration with the OSUCCC – James,” said Steve Testa, Nationwide Children's Hospital Foundation President. “The passion and dedication of community volunteers to create an experience for Pelotonia Kids participants that is safe, fun, and meaningful is having a positive impact on the cutting-edge pediatric cancer research being conducted here in central Ohio. We are happy to see the next generation of philanthropists engaging in this worthy cause.” 
Donors can give to Pelotonia Kids to support innovative pediatric cancer research at pelotoniakids.com.
To learn more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars on innovative cancer research, visit pelotonia.org/our-impact. 
100% of participant-raised funds go to innovative cancer research.
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