2013 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
Fact Sheet
About the PMC:
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon that today raises more money for charity than
any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The organization was founded in 1980 by Billy
Starr who remains the executive director. The PMC has since raised $375 million for cancer research and
patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. In 2012, the PMC gave a record
gift of $37 million. The PMC pioneered the athletic fundraising industry and is today a model of
fundraising efficiency. The event donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. In
2012, the PMC generated 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and was Dana-Farber’s single
largest contributor. More than 233,000 individual contributions were made to last year’s fundraising
campaign.
The Ride:
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge 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. Approximately 5,500 cyclists ride in the event. Cyclists choose from 11 routes of
varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and fundraising ability. 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.
Cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,300 to ride in the PMC, depending on the chosen
route.
When:
The 34th annual PMC is Aug. 3 and 4, 2013. The ride has two starting lines on Saturday, Aug. 3, in
Sturbridge and in Wellesley, and five finish lines in Provincetown (2), Bourne, Wellesley or Foxboro on
Saturday, Aug. 3 or Sunday, Aug. 4.
Who:
Cyclists travel from 36 states and eight countries to ride in the PMC. Over 350 riders are cancer survivors
or current patients. Some PMC cyclists are weekend warriors, others are trained triathletes. Most PMC
participants ride in honor of a family member or friend fighting the disease. Cyclists range in age from 13
to 88. The average PMC cyclist is 45 years old, trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises
more than $6,000. During PMC weekend and throughout the year, more than 3,000 volunteers donate
their time, and 200 corporations provide more than $5 million in products and services. The PMC was
founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, who remains the event’s executive director, an annual cyclist, and a
fundraiser. It is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance.
