SARASOTA, Fla. – Fifteen sponsors have already lined up to support the Gran Fondo Sarasota, a newly formatted cycling fundraiser for the Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the local community.
The first-ever Gran Fondo Sarasota will take place on October 7 at Nathan Benderson Park. The nonprofit’s annual Cycle of Life bike ride has been transitioned to this one-day event. Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to ride the event’s four courses, including the 100-mile Gran, 66-mile Medio, 33-mile Piccolo or 8-mile Corto cruiser ride.
Joey Panek, the producer of the Suncoast View on WWSB ABC7, will act as the event’s emcee. As cyclists return and their families and friends gather to celebrate their accomplishments, Panek will recognize riders and point out the various happenings, including music, food trucks and fun family-friendly activities, for the PGT Innovations’ Finish Line Party.
The event’s current sponsors include PGT Innovations, Benderson Development, Aroma Coffee Service, Center for Sight, Day Hagan Asset Management, Heritage Family Chiropractic, J Dawes Group, Jim LaClair Dog Training, Nick’s Pest Control, S-One Holdings Corporation, Sunset Chevrolet Buick GMC, Tri County Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., Village Bikes, Village Idiots Cycling Club, Intercoastal Medical Group and Rapid Security Systems.
“With 263 riders already registered, we have received an overwhelming response to the Gran Fondo Sarasota,” said Sarasota resident Tony McEachern, president and founder of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation. “We are so appreciative of the support and generosity of our business partners and the community. We could not provide the much-needed services to support our truly important mission without it.”
Cyclists will depart from the park between 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., depending on their chosen distance, with the 100-mile riders leaving first. Gran Fondo Sarasota course registration fees range from $25 – $148.50, depending on the course selected. The first 250 people to register will also receive a unique Gran Fondo Sarasota t-shirt and PGT Innovations swag bag.
About Team Tony Cancer Foundation
A 15-year brain cancer survivor and an avid cyclist, Tony McEachern’s vision of creating a peer-to-peer cancer support foundation became a reality in 2010 when the Team Tony Cancer Foundation officially launched. Located in Sarasota, Fla., the nonprofit’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters and caregivers in the community. To date in 2018, the Team Tony Cancer Foundation has already provided more than $20,000 in gas cards, flights and other items related to treatment travel to cancer fighters in Florida’s Suncoast area. To learn more about Team Tony, visit www.teamtony.org.