Registration for Pan-Mass Challenge Opens Jan. 17

The following information comes from the Pan-Mass Challenge:

Registration will soon be open for the 33rd annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, one of the highest-ranking athletic fundraising events in the country.

Last year, 42 Concord cyclists participated in the Challenge, which donates 100-percent of every dollar raised directly to fund cancer research. Concord residents rode up to 190 miles and raised $370,275, event organizers told Concord Patch.

This year, registration opens Jan. 17 for the event scheduled to take place on Aug. 4-5. This year’s Pan-Massachusetts Challenge will include 11 routes ranging from 25-190 miles.

Along with local cyclists, participants and volunteers have come from 36 states and eight countries.

More than 3,000 volunteers donate their time to support an average of 5,500 riders with food, water, medical and mechanical attention every 20 miles. Volunteers also serve meals and supply lodging, transportation and luggage carriage for riders.

Since 1980, the PMC has raised and contributed $338 million to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

According to event organizers, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation, raising two to three times more money for charity than any other event.

For information on how to register, head over to Pan-Massachusetts Challenge's website.