Community Corner
Connecticut Challenge Raises More Than $1 Million and Counting [Video]
About 1,200 cyclists from all over the U.S. rode for charity on Saturday
When Jeff Keith and John Ragland co-founded the Connecticut Challenge in 2005, they had no idea that it would ever get as big as it has, though they hoped it would.
The public has not failed them. Each year for the past five years, the Connecticut Challenge, a non-competitive cycling event, has traversed the hilly and country roads from Westport up through the neighboring towns to Redding, down to the sound and back to Westport.
The amount of riders participating in the challenge has grown from 120 in the first year to almost 1,200 this year - and more are expected in 2012. The ride funds unique cancer survivorship programs at hospitals throughout the state.
Find out what's happening in Westportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This year, the Fairfield County Hunt Club graciously hosted the event. Riders had all the amenities that are seen at the top-flight triathlon and major road races: massage tables, bike tuning stations, fruit and beverage bars and an assortment of other vendors sharing their goods.
Cyclists had the choice of riding 10, 25, 50, 75 or a 100 miles to raise money from their personal funds and sponsors. This one event is the organization's primary source of fundraising revenue.
Find out what's happening in Westportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Riders start signing up to raise money on Jan. 1 and they can keep raising money for their efforts through the end of September. If you want to see the running total, you can go to 2011 challenge site, www.2011ctchallenge.kintera.org.
As with most major walkathons and charity events, there were teams participating, some with corporate backing and others like Ride Sally Ride, which had 80 participants riding in the memory of Sally Richards, who participated in the Connecticut Challenge as a cancer survivor in 2009.
She lost her battle with cancer last year, but her niece Allie Batey rides with her aunt's helmet to keep Richards' spirit alive.
There were more than 70 cancer survivors on hand Saturday — 60-plus riders and another 10-15 volunteering behind the scenes. The youngest rider was camera shy 8-year old Jacquie Soderlund of Southport and the oldest was Terrence Deeks, 71, of Miami Florida.
Even the youngest of cyclists were able to participate; as there was also a special kids bike and obstacle course.
If you would like to participate, donate or volunteer in next year's event, please go to www.ctchallenge.org.
