Inaugural Manchester Pan-Mass Challenge ‘Kids Ride’ set for June 4

Many Kids. Many Bikes. One Mission: CURE CANCER.

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Pan-Mass Challenge Great fun for kids, and great cause, all around.

MANCHESTER, NH – The inaugural Greater Manchester Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) Kids Ride will be Sunday, June 4 at Saint Anselm College. This is an opportunity for riders ages 3-13 to take part in one of the 30 PMC Kids Rides scheduled throughout New England in 2017 that will raise money for research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

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Emma Bechert of Bedford lost her valiant battle with cancer in 2016.

This year’s Greater Manchester PMC Kids Ride honors Emma Bechert of Bedford, a dedicated PMC Kids Rider who brought hope and inspiration to those around her as she bravely battled brain cancer. All money raised by PMC riders goes toward the Jimmy Fund for research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“Emma touched the lives of many and this is a chance to honor her and to continue helping fund much-needed cancer research,” says race director Terry Flahive.

Emma was 14 when she died on Aug. 21, 2016, shortly after a group of riders, known as Team Emma’s Enchantment finished its annual participation in the Pan-Mass Challenge. The group of 40-plus riders raised more than $1.7 million for low grade brain tumor research at Dana-Farber over the years.

Race organizers are expecting upwards of 100 riders for the Greater Manchester PMC Kids Ride.

Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and depending on age and skill level, riders can choose two different courses along the paved walking paths on the campus of Saint Anselm College. Volunteers and participants are also invited to attend a celebration after the ride which will include food, face-painting, music, crafts, bike decorating, raffles, prizes and more.

Registration is currently $20, $25 after May 14. Riders are also asked to raise a minimum of $25 by September 1. To register, visit: www.kids.pmc.org/greatermanchesternh.aspx.

PMC Kids Rides became an official PMC program in 2005 as a way to include young cyclists in the Pan-Mass Challenge mission of raising money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber. The program engages youth in philanthropy, instills the value of working for the benefit of others and promotes athletic fitness and physical activity. In 2016, the PMC Kids Rides program attracted approximately 4,100 young cyclists. Since the first PMC Kids Ride, the little road warriors have raised more than $7.2 million for cancer care and research.

Official sponsors include: Saint Anselm College (Platinum); Coca-Cola, Dunkin Donuts-Andrade Management Group,  Manchester City Marathon, Lake Sunapee Bank (Gold); Eastern Bank, SNHU Arena, People’s United Bank,  Elliott Hospital (Silver); Bank of America, Sullivan Tire, Catholic Medical Center, Members First Credit Union, Goodale’s Bike Shop, Radisson Hotel, Central Paper, E&R Cleaners (Bronze); and Mechanical Bike Services provided by Cycles Etc. PMC program sponsors include Yawkey Foundations, New Balance SparkStart, 105.7 WROR, Stop & Shop and ’47.

For more information, visit www.kids.pmc.org and the Greater Manchester PMC Kids Ride Facebook page.

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!