Once again, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is inviting cyclists across the state to hop on their bikes and raise money to fuel life-saving cancer research. The next fundraising challenge is Saturday, Oct. 3, when hundreds of people will ride for miles on gravel routes – including residents of Arlington.
This is the fifth year PMC is hosting its “Unpaved” challenge, featuring routes of 20, 30 or 50 miles along picturesque forests, lakes and farmlands through Western Massachusetts and New York. The experience spans an entire week, kicking off at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac in Lenox.
Participants are welcomed to the camp with a Friday night campfire before embarking on their ride Saturday morning. The weekend concludes with a breakfast sendoff on Sunday.
100 percent of the rider-raised dollars benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; the challenge is seeking to raise $79 million for the institute in 2026. As of September, PMC has raised $68,954,789, according to its website.
Hoping to help the challenge get even further in accomplishing its goals this October, will be Arlington’s own Mark Druy and Giulio Manfredonia.
Those interested in contributing to Druy’s and Manfredonia’s rider-funds can visit their profiles (linked above) to learn more about their fundraising goals and motivations.
Additional information, including details about day-registration, is available at unpaved.org.
This news item, published on Sept. 16, 2026, used information provided by the Pan-Mass Challenge to prepare this report.
