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. 

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 First-Year Rider Award recognizes a new member of the Pelotonia community who brings newfound energy, excitement, and passion to recruitment, fundraising, and advancing our mission of ending cancer.   

2025 First-Year Rider Award winner: Lia Frost. 

When it comes to courage and determination, few stories compare to Lia Frost’s. Ride Day 2025 marked her first day medically cleared to exercise following brain surgery to remove a grapefruit-sized tumor, and she chose to celebrate by joining Pelotonia’s Ride Weekend. Her decision to ride was a powerful statement of gratitude and hope, and it inspired everyone who heard her story. 

As a member of Team Cardinal Health and a High Roller, Lia raised more than $10,000 in her first year, becoming an instant force for good in the Pelotonia community. Her resilience, optimism, and advocacy for cancer research reflect the profound impact that community-driven efforts can have. 

Lia’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it’s a testament to the lifesaving power of Pelotonia’s mission. The research that helped her heal was funded by Riders just like her, and she now rides to ensure others can benefit in the same way. Lia embodies what it means to turn hardship into purpose and fear into fuel. 

Congratulations to Lia Frost on receiving the 2025 First-Year Rider 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. 

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 Legacy Award recognizes an individual who has participated as a Rider, Challenger, or Volunteer for 10+ years and has exhibited unparalleled leadership and passion for the Pelotonia mission.   

2025 Pelotonia Legacy Award winner: Dwight Hurd. 

At 93 years old and a cancer Survivor, Dwight Hurd represents the very best of the Pelotonia spirit. He continues to ride with determination and gratitude, inspiring everyone around him. His story reflects the full circle of Pelotonia’s mission: research saves lives, and those lives, in turn, fuel the mission to save more. 

As Pelotonia’s oldest Rider and an 11-year participant, Dwight brings unmatched perseverance and heart to every mile. Riding with Team 88, he has raised more than $16,000 in all-time funds and completed the 30-mile route in 2025. His teammates, donors, and fellow Riders look to him as a symbol of hope — a living example of what can happen when people come together to support research that changes lives. 

Dwight’s commitment, kindness, and passion have left a mark on the Pelotonia community. His journey is a testament to the power of purpose, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of Riders to come. 

Congratulations to Dwight Hurd on receiving the 2025 Pelotonia Legacy 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. 

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-Funded Researcher of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of a Pelotonia grant recipient. The award highlights the importance of career research funding and how support from the Pelotonia community is making a tangible difference in the work of researchers and the lives of patients. 

2025 Pelotonia-Funded Researcher of the Year Award winner: Sameek Roychowdhury, MD, PhD. 

Dr. Sameek Roychowdhury, a medical oncologist and researcher at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, exemplifies Pelotonia’s vision: research fueled by community, advancing toward a cancer-free world. A multiple-time recipient of Pelotonia Idea Grants, Dr. Roychowdhury consistently bridges the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. His work centers on precision oncology, using genetic insights to tailor treatments for each individual, bringing new hope to patients and families facing cancer.

The 2025 Pelotonia Idea Grant awarded to Dr. Roychowdhury supports the first-ever nationwide, decentralized clinical trial in oncology. This groundbreaking approach allows patients across the country to participate from their own hometowns, removing barriers to access and expanding Pelotonia’s impact to every zip code.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Roychowdhury is deeply involved in the Pelotonia community. A 15-year Rider, High Roller, and Peloton Captain of Team Buckeye – Sameek’s Geeks, he has raised more than $69,000 to date. He participated in both the 100-mile Ride Weekend route and the 25-mile route and Trail Run/Hike on Gravel Day, living the mission he advances in his research every day. 

Dr. Roychowdhury’s dedication demonstrates the transformative impact of Pelotonia funding, showing how every dollar raised becomes a seed for new ideas, new treatments, and new hope. His tireless pursuit of innovation and patient-centered care makes him a powerful example of how science and humanity move forward together. 

Congratulations to Dr. Roychowdhury on receiving the 2025 Pelotonia-Funded Researcher 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. 

Community unites with record-breaking single-year fundraising total, bringing all-time funds raised to $339 million for the OSUCCC – James   

COLUMBUS, Ohio (November 18, 2025) – Pelotonia announced today an annual fundraising total of $29,212,864 in 2025, bringing all-time funds raised to $339,074,826 for innovative cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). 

The 2025 total marks the highest single-year fundraising achievement in the Pelotonia community’s 17-year history, representing an 11.5 percent increase over 2024’s $26.2 million and surpassing the previous record of $27.4 million — set in 2018 with nearly 1,000 more registered Riders in that year — by almost $2 million. 

The organization revealed the fundraising total on stage Tuesday evening at Pelotonia Night of Impact, a community gathering of more than 1,000 participants and guests at Kemba Live! in downtown Columbus.  

“This year, the Pelotonia community truly stepped up when it mattered most,” said Joe Apgar, CEO of Pelotonia and cancer survivor. “The community rallied from across the country and around the world to ensure further investment in scientific breakthroughs and discoveries will continue to save lives. Every dollar raised by the Pelotonia community throughout this record-breaking year represents hope, progress, and the unwavering belief that together, we can keep the pace of science moving forward to end cancer.”  

Pelotonia’s generous funding partners provide operational support, allowing the organization to direct 100 percent of every participant-raised dollar to innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC – James. New funding partners in 2025 include Abbott and DHL Supply Chain. Longtime and returning funding partners include American Electric Power Foundation, Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, Ariel Corporation, The Haslam 3 Foundation, M/I Homes, Safelite, Barbasol, Cardinal Health, Diamond Hill, Nationwide Insurance and Pharmavite.  

“Each year, we’re inspired and grateful by what the Pelotonia community accomplishes together,” said Robert H. Schottenstein, Chairman and CEO of M/I Homes, Inc., and Chair of the Pelotonia Board of Directors. “When Pelotonia started 17 years ago, none of us could have imagined the extraordinary, lasting impact it would have — not just here in Columbus, but across the country and around the world. Thank you to every participant, donor, and partner for your support.” 

Pelotonia dollars fund a wide range of research areas at the OSUCCC – James, from recruiting top talent and investing in the next generation of scientists to advancements in technology and groundbreaking therapies. Pelotonia-funded research ranges from the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, which focuses on harnessing the body’s immune system to fight cancer at all levels, to early detection, cancer prevention, precision medicine and survivorship programs — all aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients and accelerating progress to end cancer.  

“I came to The James because of its commitment to creating a cancer-free world, its collaborative culture, and extraordinary community support. The energy, purpose, and unwavering commitment of the Pelotonia community to ending cancer is rare and so important,” said W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, CEO of the OSUCCC – James. “What makes Pelotonia so unique is the open door it creates for genuine, two-way partnership between scientists, doctors, and community members who all share the same goal. When we come together — including on bicycles — it levels the playing field and reminds us why this work matters to each of us personally. That kind of connection and collaboration is what leads to truly transformational change.” 

Dr. Rathmell joined as the new CEO of the OSUCCC – James earlier this year after serving as Director of the National Cancer Institute, where she led national efforts to advance cancer discovery and innovation. She is internationally recognized for her pioneering research in kidney cancer and leadership in precision oncology. Her decision to join Ohio State reflects the strength of the Pelotonia community and its unparalleled support for scientific excellence.  

In 2025, more than 12,000 participants joined Pelotonia’s events, including more than 7,500 Riders, Runners, and Hikers, and 3,100 Volunteers who supported Ride Weekend and Gravel Day. More than 1,800 Challengers fundraised virtually. Participants came from across 49 U.S. states and 12 countries globally and ranged in age from 14 to 93 years old. 

Pelotonia saw record-breaking participation within several meaningful categories this year, which led to the all-time high single-year fundraising total. Highlights include: 

• 980 cancer survivors, who are “Living Proof” of the value in investing in cancer research, participated in 2025, which is the highest number of those personally impacted by cancer to date for Pelotonia events.  

• A record 800 High Rollers, who are Pelotonia’s highest individual fundraisers, contributed more than $7.6 million. 

• Among 387 Pelotons, Team Huntington led the way in participation and fundraising. The company team engaged a record 3,300 Peloton participants, including more than 1,700 Riders, and raised a-company record $5 million. 

“This Pelotonia year has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Apgar said. “From the incredible August weather throughout Ride Weekend and the massive Opening Ceremony crowd with O.A.R. on stage, to Gravel Day’s fun, outdoor adventure and new experiences with the Trail Run and Hike and finally celebrating our biggest fundraising year ever at Night of Impact. It’s truly one for the books. This community has so much momentum, and we’re incredibly grateful for every single person driving our mission forward. We’ll celebrate this moment, and then we’ll get right back to work because our dream is that every person who hears the words ‘you have cancer’ gets more time to experience life milestones and spend with their loved ones. Our mission continues, and we can’t wait to carry this energy into next year.” 

Registration for Pelotonia 2026 will open on March 4.  Dates for its signature events have been announced with Opening Ceremony on July 31 and Ride Weekend on August 1-2, 2026. The Gravel Day date for fall 2026 will be announced soon.  

For more information and to learn about the impact of Pelotonia dollars, please visit pelotonia.org. 

Third Annual Event Features Challenging Gravel Rides, First Experience for Non-Cyclists

“Gravel Day has become one of my favorite weekends of the year. I’m thrilled to get back on my gravel bike, and I’m inspired by the energy surrounding the new Trail Run/Hike,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO and cancer survivor.

“Pelotonia events are a celebration of resilience and unity, driven by our mission. Gravel Day is no exception. It combines physical challenge and outdoor adventure with the power of community rallying to advance groundbreaking research at Ohio State. Together, we’re making a real impact for cancer patients today and for the future.”

Cycling Routes and Trail Run/Hike Course

Friday Night Community Gathering & Camping: October 3

Volunteers Make Pelotonia Events Possible

Registration and Fundraising Continues for Pelotonia 2025

“We want the Pelotonia mission to continue long after our journey through life is over. Including Pelotonia in our estate plan helps continue a mission that has greatly impacted my family,” Mike said.

Their commitment not only honors the journeys of Mike and his father but also looks to the future, driven by the hope that their son, and generations to come, will inherit a world without cancer. In 2021, furthering their dedication to cancer survivorship, Mike and Megan founded Worth the Wait, a charity that empowers young adult cancer survivors on their path to parenthood by providing financial support and educational resources for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy. Through their planned giving, enduring support, and advocacy, the Scherers are ensuring that the fight against cancer continues, inspiring others to give back and build a legacy of hope and progress.

For more information on the Pelotonia Legacy Society, please visit our Planned Giving page.

“Without Pelotonia, there are no researchers; there are no breakthroughs,” Amanda said.

For Amanda and Joe, Pelotonia is more than an annual event; it’s a mission and a community united to end cancer. By joining the Pelotonia Legacy Society, the Panfils are helping to secure the future of groundbreaking research, ensuring that progress continues for generations to come. Their philanthropy stands as a testament to the power of hope, science, and community action.

For more information on the Pelotonia Legacy Society, please visit our Planned Giving page.

The drive for Matthew Old, MD, to be involved in philanthropy to accelerate innovative cancer research, like many of his colleagues, is highly personal.

Dr. Old has ridden in every mile of every Pelotonia event — 2,850 total miles to be exact.

His participation started with the first Ride Weekend in 2009 and has continued as a Rider each year since, adding the Gravel Day rides in 2023 and 2024.

Dr. Old is a professor and director of the Division of Head and Neck Oncology in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

A 16-Year Rider and Peloton team captain, his contributions to cancer research extend beyond his lab and scientific achievements to include his long-time participation in and fundraising for Pelotonia.

Dr. Old leads Team Head and Neck, a peloton team within the super peloton, Team Buckeye, with wife and co-captain Molly Old. In its 13th year, 8 this peloton team includes providers, family members, friends, and cancer Survivors. Team Head and Neck has raised over $1.5 million. Through his individual fundraising efforts, Dr. Old has raised more than $65,500 in all-time funds for Pelotonia.

Dr. Old started his work at Ohio State in 2009, the same year that the first Pelotonia ride began. His personal motivation for participating as a Pelotonia Rider year after year stems from his deep connection to the shared mission of Pelotonia and the OSUCCC – James to create a cancer-free world.

Head and neck cancer rates continue to increase due to the rising human papilloma virus (HPV) epidemic.

“Philanthropy will help fund research and advances to stay ahead of the curve and get to more effective therapies quicker. These innovations wouldn’t be possible without the support of our [Pelotonia] community,” Dr. Old says.

His research focuses on improving surgical outcomes and developing innovative therapies for head and neck cancers, particularly through minimally invasive techniques and targeted therapies. As a highly respected figure in oncology, Dr. Old has authored numerous publications and received several awards for his work in advancing cancer care and research.

“We have one of the largest databases of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the world and are well-positioned to do research on this cancer,” Dr. Old says. “I’ve been proud to further these research efforts through the generosity of the Pelotonia community, including funds raised from a lemonade stand and bake sale hosted by Santino Carnevale, who lost his father to head and neck cancer. Santino alone has raised more than $135,000 to enable this breakthrough research.”

Through his leadership and dedication as a cancer care advocate and researcher – as well as a passionate Pelotonia Rider — Dr. Old continues to inspire others to support Pelotonia and drive advancements in head and neck cancer research, making an impact on patients’ lives and on the broader community.

It’s been five years since the launch of the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology (PIIO), a pioneering research center at the OSUCCC – James. 

Established in July 2019 with a pledge of $102,265,000 over five years from Pelotonia, the PIIO was founded with a bold vision: to harness the power of the immune system to to fight cancer at all levels — from prevention to treatment and survivorship.  

Led by Founding Director Zihai Li, MD, PhD, a renowned medical oncologist and immunologist in the ever-expanding field of cancer immunotherapy, the overall ambition of the PIIO is to be a leader in driving immuno-oncology (IO) breakthroughs. 

Since its founding, the PIIO has achieved several key milestones. PIIO researchers have developed novel therapies that boost immune responses to various types of cancer, from melanoma to lung and blood cancers. The institute has also led clinical trials that offer patients new, personalized immunotherapy options, improving outcomes and giving hope to those battling the disease. 

“Together, we are making a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families,” says Dr. Li, crediting the PIIO’s success to the collaboration between scientists, clinicians, and the community.  

In 2023, the PIIO expanded to the new state-of-the-art Pelotonia Research Center on The Ohio State University’s new innovation district on campus – a major step in promoting collaborative science and innovation. The labs at the Pelotonia Research Center cover a wide range of specialties, including cancer immunotherapy and computational immunobiology. 

As the PIIO celebrates its fifth anniversary, the focus remains on the future with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. With ongoing support from the Pelotonia community, the PIIO will continue to push the limits of cancer research to further advance targeted treatments and immuno-oncology for patients today and for years to come.