Pelotonia Expands Gravel Day with New Mountain Biking Routes 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 28, 2026) – Pelotonia will host its fourth annual Gravel Day on Saturday, October 3, at Snow Fork Event Center in Nelsonville, Ohio. Nearly 700 participants — including more than 280 gravel Riders, 90 mountain biking Riders and 430 Trail Runners and Hikers — and 350 Volunteers will gather for the event’s biggest year yet, rallying to raise funds 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). 

This year’s expansion, anchored by the addition of mountain biking routes, marks Gravel Day’s most ambitious lineup yet and captures the spirit of Pelotonia’s 2026 theme, “No Limits” — a call to move boldly and push past boundaries. Paired with the return of the popular Trail Run/Hike, which is nearing route capacity in its second year, Gravel Day continues to add experiences and engage new audiences. 

“Since Pelotonia launched Gravel Day in 2023, we’ve added a new element to the event every year, and it’s been so much fun to see our community grow right along with it. Every new experience is just another way to get people outdoors, engaged with each other and connected to the Pelotonia mission, and that’s how we make a real impact on accelerating cancer research together,” said Joe Apgar, Pelotonia CEO and cancer Survivor. 

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. Funding Partners include Bath & Body Works, Huntington National Bank, Peggy & Richard Santulli, Victoria’s Secret, AEP Ohio Foundation, Ariel Corporation, Cardinal Health Foundation, M/I Homes, Safelite, The Haslam 3 Foundation, Abbott, Barbasol, DHL Supply Chain, Diamond Hill, Nationwide and Pharmavite. 

In 2025, Gravel Day raised more than $1 million, contributing to Pelotonia’s record $26.2 million annual fundraising total. 

Among this year’s Gravel Day participants is Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, CEO and Director of the OSUCCC – James, who will take part in the Trail Run/Hike alongside the Pelotonia community.  

“Pelotonia’s ‘No Limits’ theme perfectly captures the spirit of cancer research. Every day, our scientists, clinicians, patients and supporters refuse to accept the limits imposed by cancer. I’m honored to join the Pelotonia community for my first Gravel Day and celebrate the extraordinary commitment that continues to fuel discoveries and improve lives,” Dr. Rathmell said. 

Friday Night Community Gathering & Camping: October 2 

For the third year, Pelotonia will host participants and guests to kick off Gravel Day weekend with the Friday Night Community Gathering on October 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Snow Fork Event Center. More than 300 guests are expected for music, food, drinks and s’mores by the campfire. Welcome remarks from Pelotonia CEO Joe Apgar and Miki Brooks, owner of Snow Fork Event Center, will open the evening at 6:20 p.m., followed by live music from The Tillers at 6:30 p.m. More than 90 campsites for tents, cars and RVs are reserved overnight — another area that continues to grow. 

Gravel Cycling, Mountain Biking and Trail Run/Hike: October 3 

Gravel cycling routes challenge Riders with climbs through Athens County, with elevation gains ranging from 900 to 4,200 feet across 11-, 25- and 48-mile loop options departing at staggered start times Saturday morning from Snow Fork Event Center. 

New in 2026, two mountain biking routes offer 10- or 24-mile looped options through the Baileys Trail System, a network of world-class, machine-built trails across Athens County’s rolling hills. The routes mix IMBA-rated green (“easy”) and blue (“more difficult”) trails, with elevation gains ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 feet. The new Pelotonia mountain biking routes were developed in collaboration with the Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO). 

Now in its second year, the Trail Run/Hike is nearing capacity after a successful 2025 debut. Runners and Hikers can enter the 3.5-mile looped course — which starts and ends at Snow Fork Event Center and connects to the Baileys Trail System’s single-track trail through Wayne National Forest — any time between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with the option to complete multiple laps for added distance. Riders can opt to do both, completing their cycling route first. 

Finish Line Celebrations and Spectator Details  

Finish line celebrations at Snow Fork Event Center are open to participants and guests on Saturday, October 3, with food, live music, yard games and Pelotonia merchandise for sale. Music kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the George Barrie Band, followed by Toubab Krewe (noon), Trey Hedrick (1:30 p.m.) and the Headwaters String Band (4 p.m.). AVI Foodsystems will serve scratch-made menus alongside local food and beverage vendors Dirty Girl Coffee, Kiser’s Barbeque, Jackie O’s, Combustion Brewing and High Bank Distillery. New merchandise features items from Homage, lululemon, Knockaround, Champion, Travis Matthew and Miir. Children in attendance can visit the kids zone to take part in a Gravel Day scavenger hunt or decorate their own bandanas. 

Spectators are encouraged to join the send-off and finish line celebrations to cheer on Gravel Day Riders, Runners and Hikers throughout the day. Details for spectators, including driving directions and parking information for Snow Fork Event Center, are available at pelotonia.org/cheer. 

Volunteers Make Pelotonia Events Possible 

Gravel Day would not be possible without the valuable time and hard work of more than 350 Pelotonia Volunteers who serve in a variety of critical roles. Volunteers offer medical and first aid services, provide mechanical support, coordinate bike management, run merchandise sales, support rest stops along all routes and so much more. 

Registration and Fundraising Continues for Pelotonia 2026 

Registration for Gravel Day Riders, Runners and Hikers, and Volunteers, as well as Challengers, is still open at pelotonia.org/register.  

Fundraising for all Pelotonia 2026 participants continues through October 15. The annual fundraising total will be announced in November. 

To learn about the impact of Pelotonia dollars on accelerating innovative cancer research, please visit pelotonia.org/impact.