Pan-Mass Challenge
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is a charity bike ride in Massachusetts. It began in August 1980, founded by Billy Starr in Needham. The goal is to raise money for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. It is the largest single athletic fundraiser in the United States.
In its first year, 36 riders traveled from Springfield to Provincetown and together they raised $10,200. The event introduced riders guaranteeing pledges with their own credit cards, which cut late donations from 17% to 3%.
The 45th PMC in 2024 had about 6,800 riders and raised $75 million, the biggest gift Dana-Farber has received. By 2024, the lifetime total raised by the PMC surpassed $1 billion.
Many well-known people have ridden the PMC, including athletes and public figures.
Each August, cyclists choose from 16 routes, ranging from 25 to 211 miles, and ride through 47 Massachusetts towns. The longest route goes from Sturbridge to Bourne on the first day; this route was retired after 2025 with a new Worcester start planned for 2026, followed by the 100-mile Wellesley Century on the second day finishing at Babson College.
Some teams have Pedal Partners—children who are currently treated for cancer through the Jimmy Fund. Riders must raise money to participate, typically between $1,000 and $6,000 depending on age and route.
By 2015, most riders had participated before, and many had ridden 10 years or more. The PMC added a winter event in 2016, the PMC Winter Cycle, which has been held at Fenway Park since 2018. Local PMC Kids Rides happen year-round. In October 2022, the first PMC Unpaved, a one-day off-road gravel ride in the Berkshires, drew about 200 riders; around 400 joined in 2024.
The PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest donor and provided about 66% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue as of 2024. From 1980 through 2024, the event raised about $1.047 billion, supporting cancer care and research, including funding for 41 cancer drugs. Since 2007, 100% of rider-raised money goes to Dana-Farber, with sponsors and entry fees covering event overhead. In 2018, about 200 sponsors contributed roughly $7 million.
The PMC has inspired other fundraising rides, like Relay for Life and Pelotonia. In industry rankings, it is often listed as one of the largest peer-to-peer fundraisers, and it grosses more than any other single-event fundraiser.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:58 (CET).