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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> 5th annual MSU Gran Fondo raises a record fundraising and number of riders

5th annual MSU Gran Fondo raises record fundraising and number of riders 

More than 1,700 participants biked through West Michigan on Saturday

Gran Rapids, Michigan - A record number of cyclists rode either the 10, 25, 40, or 80-mile courses.  

The event benefits the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine’s skin cancer awareness, prevention and research.

According to organizers, in its first five years the MSU Gran Fondo has raised around $800,000 and funded several skin cancer research studies, including research on a new drug that stops the spread of melanoma by 90-percent. 

“To actually see the event working and having the money in the hands of people starting to make a difference, it can’t get better than that,” said Bob Hughes, founder of the MSU Gran Fondo.

Since its inception, the MSU Gran Fondo has climbed to the No. 4 Gran Fondo in the nation as ranked by Gran Fondo Guide. The mass-start event brings in people from all over the country, as well as from around the globe. Each participant rides for their own special reason.

“Riding in honor of my mother-in-law,” said Henry Barry, associate dean for Faculty Affairs at the MSU College of Human Medicine. “She died a number of years ago from complications from her melanoma treatment.”

As the awareness and research continue to grow, the prevention only gets stronger.

Along for the ride, supporting and inspring everyone and riding the 80 mile Gran Fondo was living legend, ex-professional rider George Hincapie.

Link to offical results: http://georesults.racemine.com/Igniteyoureventcom/events/2017/MSU-Gran-Fondo/results

Along for the ride, supporting and inspring everyone and riding the 80 mile Gran Fondo was living legend, ex-professional rider George Hincapie