Portsmouth Residents To Ride in 34th Annual Pan-Mass Challenge

Six residents from the Portsmouth area will participate in the 34th annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the nation’s first charity bike-a-thon, this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4. 

Portsmouth resident taking part in the PMC are Cameron Peahl and Eric Richer. 

The two will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $38 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research 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. 

Many 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.

“It’s a powerful and emotional weekend for everyone involved,” says Billy Starr, Pan-Mass Challenge founder and executive director. “From the cyclists, to volunteers, staff and family and friends along the route, the PMC unifies 10,000 people for one weekend to make a difference and raise funds to eradicate cancer.” 

During PMC weekend, individual cyclists unite to become one extended 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 presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the New Balance Foundation. 

To become a virtual rider, or make a financial contribution to a rider from your town, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Checks can be made payable to PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, Mass. 02494.