The Miami Dolphins today announced that the second annual Dolphins Cycling Challenge (DCC), a two-day, 170-mile trans-Florida charity cycling event to benefit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will take place on November 5-6, 2011 in memory of Dolphins great Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich. This major community initiative is a collaborative effort between the Miami Dolphins Foundation and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine with proceeds going to directly to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
”The DCC is part of Jim Mandich’s lasting and impactful legacy on the Miami Dolphins,” said Dolphins CEO Mike Dee. “He approached his bout with cancer with the same tenacity that he approached life. His spirit and drive will live on through each rider and every dollar raised for cancer research. Every community deserves a world-class cancer treatment and research center. Steve Ross and the Miami Dolphins organization are committed to helping Sylvester expand its footprint and profound impact on the lives of South Floridians.”
The Dolphins Cycling Challenge is a tri-county charity cycling event to increase cancer awareness, encourage healthy hobbies, and raise funds for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine which has facilities in Miami, Kendall and Deerfield Beach. In its inaugural year, the DCC was an enormous success, attracting more than 400 riders and raising more than $533,000 for cancer research.
“This event truly exemplifies the heart of Sylvester,” says W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., chief medical officer of Sylvester. “Just as our patients come from across the tri-county area for cancer care, the DCC takes us across those same areas to generate awareness and raise money to fund research.” Goodwin says the Dolphins have become key partners in raising money to find new therapies. “Each of us rides for someone different, but in the end, it’s all about beating cancer.”
Last year’s ride was particularly meaningful to the Mandich family. “The inaugural DCC was inspiring to our entire family, especially to my father,” said Michael Mandich. “He believed that the impact and potential for this ride was limitless, and we will proudly ride this year in our father’s memory.”
The DCC offers various options for participants of different ages and abilities:
Ride Mileage Date Ages Start Finish
2-Day Ride 170 11/5-6 18+ Sun Life Stadium Sun Life Stadium
Miami Century Ride 100 11/5 18+ Sun Life Stadium CityPlace
Miami Homecoming Loop 40 11/5 18+ Sun Life Stadium Sun Life Stadium
Palm Beach Loop 40 11/5 18+ CityPlace CityPlace
West Palm Beach Ride 70 11/6 18+ CityPlace Sun Life Stadium
Fort Lauderdale Ride 30 11/6 18+ Huizenga Park Sun Life Stadium
Kids Ride N/A 11/6 3 -13 Sun Life Stadium Sun Life Stadium
On the first day of the ride, entrants will participate in a 100-mile-long “Century Ride” from Sun Life Stadium to West Palm Beach where cyclists will travel through the city of Miami over the causeway to Miami Beach and then up Ocean Drive/AIA to enjoy an end-of-the-ride celebration at CityPlace. New this year will be a Miami Homecoming Loop, a 40-mile ride from Sun Life Stadium to Sylvester in Miami and back to Sun Life Stadium and the Palm Beach Loop, a 40-mile ride from City Place south and then east to coast before ending at CityPlace. The second day features two options for participants: a 70-mile ride from CityPlace in West Palm Beach to Sun Life Stadium or a 30-mile ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Sun Life Stadium. These rides offer participants the unique experience of riding on I-595 before culminating the ride through the players’ tunnel and an on-field celebration at Sun Life Stadium. For child and pre-teen riders, Dolphins Cycling Challenge will offer various courses set-up on the grounds of Sun Life Stadium.
Additionally, the Miami Dolphins Special Teams volunteers will provide volunteer support along the route at various water stops. Individuals and teams interested in participating in the Dolphins Cycling Challenge are encouraged to visit www.RideDCC.com. Parents and kids can learn more about the children’s rides at www.RideDCCkids.com.
All adult riders will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the Miami Dolphins game versus the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, December 4th. Riders who attend the game will be honored in a special on-field pre-game ceremony celebrating their fundraising efforts.
There is a registration fee of $150 per rider and a fundraising minimum goal between $500 and $1500 depending on the ride. Proceeds from the rides will go to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The DCC is actively seeking participants, volunteers and corporate partners. For more information, please visit www.RideDCC.com.