Bikers and runners will raise money for brain cancer research
Hundreds of supporters will hit the trails in Marquette this weekend to help fund local research into brain cancer.
The River Valley Bank Hope Starts Here Challenge is this Saturday. It benefits the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, a partnership between Marquette General Hospital and Northern Michigan University. The challenge is the center’s only fundraiser each year.
“We are having a Friday night expo for the first time, so folks can come to the hospital,” Marquette General neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Rovin said. “It’s from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Neldberg Lobby. We’ll have registration. If you’re pre-registered, come pick up your T-shirt. If you want to register, you can still take advantage of the early savings, so come and register.”
The challenge includes a half-marathon, a duathlon and competitive 10K and 5K runs, but it also has a non-competitive family leisure walk and a bike ride, to encourage anyone to take part.
“And also, by request this year, (we have) mile marker signs, so people will know how many miles they have traveled,” Rovin said. “We have 13 for the half–marathon and ten for the bike course.”
The events begin Saturday morning at Lakeview Arena in Marquette, and registration will still be open that morning.