COLUMBUS, OH (February 15, 2021) – Pelotonia will be launching registration on Thursday, February 18 at 12 p.m. EST for the 2021 Ride Weekend set to take place August 6 – 8. Pelotonia 2021 will include both in-person Ride experiences and self-guided participation options to empower the community to participate in whatever way inspires them. All participation options promise a moving and memorable experience supporting the Pelotonia community’s One Goal of funding innovative cancer research. Those interested in registering can sign up at pelotonia.org/register.

As in previous years, 100 percent of every dollar raised by participants goes to The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including The Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology.

“We’ve been counting down the days until we can safely come back together for Ride Weekend, and our team has spent much of the past year developing an experience that continues to put safety first,” said Doug Ulman, Pelotonia President and CEO. “The impact of the ongoing pandemic on cancer researchers has been significant and posed setbacks, so coming together to support cancer research is more important than ever. We’re working with top health and safety experts in our community to deliver an exceptional and unforgettable experience this year.”

Riders and Volunteers will have the option to participate on Saturday, Sunday or a combination of both. For Riders, 2021 brings all new routes ranging from 20 miles up to 200 miles and with fundraising commitments starting at $1,250 up to $5,000. For Volunteers, registration also opens February 18 with available activities and more information to come this spring.

The historical Virtual Rider platform has evolved into the Challenger experience; participants of any age can set their own goals and participate anywhere, at any time, with a commitment to raise at least $100 with additional fundraising incentive levels for those who want to aim higher. Challengers are encouraged to create personal, meaningful activity goals that motivate them personally and inspire their donors; 2020 participants ran, walked, made masks, volunteered and more in the name of cancer research.

Ulman said, “After the popularity of our personalized 2020 platform My Pelotonia, we’re thrilled to replace the Virtual Rider with the new and expanded Challenger experience to offer more ways for people of any age, anywhere in the world to participate in Pelotonia. We know people need flexibility more than ever right now, and it was important to us that we find a way for our entire global community to participate in whatever way is best for them.”

For those interested in mapping out their 2021 Ride, routes of varying miles and start points will take place Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8. Pelotonia will still have two-day ride options available but will be removing the option to stay overnight at Kenyon College due to the health and safety of all participants. The new 2021 route options and fundraising commitments include:

For those who want to jumpstart their fundraising, Safelite AutoGlass is providing an incentive; participants who register by February 19 and receive three unique donations by February 28 will be entered to win a $100 fundraising bonus. Up to 500 eligible participants will be chosen at random. Details are available at pelotonia.org.

Pelotonia will continue to share new Ride and route information along with enhanced health and safety protocols throughout the coming months on their newly launched website. To register or learn more about Pelotonia, please visit pelotonia.org. To read more about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org/impact and pelotonia.org/institute.

Founded in 2008, Pelotonia was established with the objective to fund innovative cancer research. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Since its founding, Pelotonia has raised over $217 million for cancer research. Thanks to its generous funding partners – American Electric Power Foundation, Huntington Bank, L Brands Foundation, Peggy and Richard Santulli, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill Capital Management and Nationwide – Pelotonia is able to direct 100 percent of every dollar raised by its participants to cancer research at the Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. For more information, visit pelotonia.org or tune in to our podcast ONE GOAL.