COLUMBUS – The 11th annual Pelotonia bike ride in support of cancer research is expected to add nearly $13 million to the total amount the event has raised since its first year.
Since its founding in 2008, Pelotonia has raised nearly $200 million dollars for life-saving cancer research.
RELATED: Pelotonia pledges $102M for cancer institute at OSU
According to the event’s website more than 7,700 riders have registered to pedal the 25- to 200-mile routes through central Ohio Saturday and Sunday.
The events surrounding the ride begin on Friday with an expo from 3:00 until 9:00 p.m. with an opening ceremony program, featuring CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, starting at 7:00 p.m. at McFerson Commons and North Bank Park in the Arena District.
Riders will head out Saturday for one- and two-day rides.
Cyclists tackling the 25-, 45-, 100-, 180- and 200-mile rides will begin at McFerson Commons in the Arena District.
Those participating in the 100-, 180- and 200-mile routes will begin to depart at 7:00 a.m. and riders participating in the 25- and 45-mile rides will begin to depart at 9:00 a.m.
The 55- and 135-mile riders will begin at Thirty-One Gifts Headquarters in New Albany at 8:30 a.m.
The 75- and 155-mile riders will begin at Pickerington High School North at 7:45 a.m.
On Sunday, the 35-mile route will begin at Denison University with a 9:00 a.m. departure and day two of the 135-, 155-, 180- and 200-mile rides will leave from Kenyon College beginning at 7:00 a.m.
The final riders will cross the finish line at Bevelhymer Park throughout the afternoon.