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UT Cyclists Complete Their Fund-Raising Journey
August 2008
Last week, 41 very tired but determined University of Texas students completed their 4,500-mile bicycle journey to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.
The ride began nearly 70 days ago in Austin and ended on Friday, August 15, in Anchorage, Alaska. The cyclists are part of the Texas 4000, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and fighting cancer.
Currently in its fifth year, it is the longest charity ride in the world, said Chris Condit, the group’s executive director and founder. Each year a cycling team trains, fundraises, educates and rides for those who have cancer.
The cyclists left Austin on June 7 and rode approximately 70 miles a day. The riders split into two groups with one group traveling through the Rocky Mountains and the other riding up the Pacific coastline. The two groups met back up earlier this month in Yukon Territory, Canada, and completed the ride together in Alaska.
At the age of 11, Condit was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was his diagnosis and subsequent experience with cancer that contributed to Condit creating the charity ride in college.
“As an 11-year-old, it made a big impression on me,” said Condit. “I was very blessed to have a good doctor and a speedy recovery,” he said.
Condit came up with the idea for a ride benefiting cancer prevention and awareness efforts while he was a senior year at the University of Texas. He and a group of friends posted informational flyers throughout campus and over 150 students showed up for that first meeting.
“I realized there were a lot of kids who weren’t as fortune as I was,” said Condit.
Funds raised from the ride will benefit the American Cancer Society and The Children’s Cancer Hospital at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
The Texas 4000 web site features photos, rider blogs and videos from the year’s ride as well as previous years. For more information on the completion of this year’s ride, or to donate, visit www.Texas4000.org.