MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (August 11, 2017More than 1,000 riders are gearing up to chase down cancer in the inaugural Chainbreaker bike ride, set for this weekend.
 
Chainbreaker is a bold new cycling experience established to fund cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. The cornerstone of the Chainbreaker mission is ensuring critical support for life-saving cancer research, and 100 percent of rider-raised funds will go to the Masonic Cancer Center’s work. Each rider committed to raising at least $1,000, with the 180-mile riders raising at least $2,000.
 
"Chainbreaker is an important fundraising experience with the potential to provide critical funding for cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota," said Brooks Jackson, M.D., M.B.A., vice president of Health Sciences and dean of the Medical School at the University of Minnesota. "The funds raised by Chainbreaker bikers will be transformative for our researchers, particularly at a time when public sources of funding for science are being squeezed."
 
The event starts Friday night with a celebration at Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Eagan campus, including registration, plus a meal and celebration for riders and friends. Saturday morning, it’s time to hit the road; from the starting line at Blue Cross Blue Shield, riders will head south through Rosemount, Welch, and Cannon Falls to reach the 100 mile mark at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Many riders will continue on Sunday, completing a 180-mile trek in Excelsior along Lake Minnetonka.
 
There is still time to join the fun! Rider registration remains open until the day of the ride with the fundraising window closing 60 days after the ride.
 
WHAT: Chainbreaker is a ride established to fund life-saving cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. More than 1,000 riders will clip in on Saturday in this inaugural ride.
 
WHEN/WHERE: August 11-13, 2017

  • Kick off celebration, August 11 at 4:00 PM
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield campus, 3400 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan, MN
    • Featuring Nashville-based recording artist James Otto

  • Ride starts August 12, 7:00 AM
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield campus, 3400 Yankee Doodle Road, Eagan, MN

  • August 12 finish lines & celebrations
    • Belmont Street Park - Hampton, MN (25 miles)
    • Welch Village Ski Area - Welch Village, MN (50 miles)
    • Tosrud/Skoglund Center at St. Olaf College - Northfield, MN (100 miles)

  • Big Finish on August 13: Riders going the full 180 miles will finish at Excelsior Commons on Lake Minnetonka