The 2016 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) is in the books, and it was a milestone year!
On the first weekend of August, over 6,000 riders hopped on their bicycles and rode the 37th edition of the PMC. About 1/3 of those participating, or 2,000 riders, rode the original, 192 mile route, from Sturbridge all the way to the tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown. Of that group of 2,000 riders, who set off at 5:30 A.M. from Sturbridge, six proudly represented SEI.
These six riders hailed from three different offices, Boston, Chicago, and NYC – but more importantly, SEI as a whole was represented through fundraising support across all eight offices. To our SEI friends and colleagues we say, “Thank you for being with us all the way through your moral and financial support!”
An event such as PMC would be impossible to set up without an army of volunteers, and on Saturday, another five members of the Boston office represented SEI at the Lakeville water stop. These volunteers spent about ten hours setting up and running a water stop that would literally see thousands of cyclists come through on their way to Bourne, the end point for the first day of our route.
It was great to be welcomed at the stop by our SEI peers with water, sports drinks and healthy snacks, in a different setting than the typical business/business casual environment we operate in.
Here are a few facts to highlight why this was such a memorable year for SEI participation:
- We had the highest number of SEI participants, riders and volunteers, in our nine year attendance.
- Our contingent of riders was evenly distributed between veteran and new riders, which bodes well for an even larger contingent next year.
- Our two-day 192 mile adventure was completely devoid of drama; not only did every SEI rider finish their ride in excellent shape, without any mechanical issues or, without hitting the deck, but between the six of us we didn’t even have a single flat tire.
Most importantly, after a $45 million record gift to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute last year, we are well on our way to top that number and clock in at $46 million this year. The final number will be known in October, until which time the fundraising continues. And after October…well, let’s just say, we’re already thinking of how to make 2017 PMC the best one yet. The thousands of supporters on the route, who for hours will cheer on every rider that passes them. The feeling of support and encouragement is indescribable and has to be experienced. Come join us next year as a rider, a volunteer, or fellow-supporter.”
