Community Stories
2025 Pelotonia Awards: Volunteer of the Year, Jay Hobgood & Rachel Mauk
| December 3, 2025
Each year, we honor a handful of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their support of accelerating innovative cancer research with the Pelotonia Awards. These members of the Pelotonia community are champions in the fight against cancer, embodying the relentless commitment to the mission of Ending Cancer that defines the grassroots movement. Their personal journeys are inspiring, and their extraordinary contributions deserve to celebrated.
The Pelotonia Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a volunteer whose unselfish and dedicated service has made a significant difference in the Pelotonia community, while demonstrating a commitment to our collective One Goal.
2025 Pelotonia Volunteer of the Year Award winners: Jay Hobgood and Rachel Mauk.
For more than a decade, Dr. Jay Hobgood and Dr. Rachel Mauk have been two of the most important behind-the-scenes heroes in the Pelotonia community. Both meteorologists, they provide the critical weather monitoring and guidance that ensure every Rider, Volunteer, and supporter stays safe during Ride Weekend and Gravel Day.
Jay, a retired Ohio State University professor with a PhD in Geography, has been offering meteorology support since Pelotonia’s third year, delivering real-time updates and helping shape weather safety policies. Rachel, who holds a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences and works as Assistant Director of Research in the Ohio State University College of Medicine, collaborates with him to create forecasts and assessments that inform critical event-day decisions.
Their expertise, collaboration, and quiet leadership have helped thousands of participants enjoy safe and successful events year after year. Together, Jay and Rachel embody the essence of volunteerism: dedicated, humble, and deeply committed to the mission that unites us all.
Congratulations to Drs. Jay Hobgood and Rachel Mauk on receiving the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award!
The 2025 Pelotonia Awards winners were announced and celebrated at Night of Impact on November 18th. If you missed the event, you can watch the program on YouTube here.
