The second annual Dempsey Challenge, which begins today in Lewiston, has attracted more cyclists, runners, walkers and volunteers than it did in its inaugural year, say the charity’s officials, and it’s expected to raise more money.
The event’s slate of professional cyclists shrank from five to three in the past week, but the number of riders who entered from Maine and 32 other states far surpasses last year’s total.
As of Friday, 4,150 participants in all categories had entered, up from 3,500 last year when entries were capped. Among cyclists, participation jumped from 1,420 to 1,903, and counting.
The Dempsey Challenge permits last-minute registration, although this year a fundraising fee of $150 is required.
At least 653 people will ride the 100-mile course and 812 will tackle the 50-mile route, which is the course that Patrick Dempsey and the pro riders will likely ride, said Wendy Tardif, the event’s director.
Dempsey, a Lewiston native who is a film and television actor, is the founder of the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, the beneficiary of the Dempsey Challenge.
Tour de France veterans Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner and former pro rider Kevin Livingston will ride with Dempsey on Sunday after making several public appearances around southern Maine.
George Hincapie was supposed to ride for the second year, but pulled out during the week of Sept. 13 because of family issues, Tardif said.
Three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador pulled out after his spokesman announced Wednesday that Contador had tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol.
Dempsey and the pro riders will appear at 2:30 p.m. today at L.L. Bean in Freeport, after attending the charity run and walk at Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park in Lewiston. They will also appear at the ride and a wellness festival Sunday.
“They will be around to meet-and-greet Sunday just like last year,” Tardif said. “We try to give them some private time to enjoy their Maine lobster.”
The event is expected to surpass the $1.1 million it generated last year because of the required fundraising, Tardif said.
Last year, 69 percent of the money — $759,000 — went to the Patrick Dempsey Center, Tardif said. The rest covered the cost of running the event, directed by Atlanta-based Medalist Sports.
The Patrick Dempsey Center offers free support to families that are affected by cancer. The Dempsey Challenge is intended to be a celebration of healthy living. This year, the wellness festival in Simard-Payne Police Memorial Park will run two days and offer more seminars and health-oriented activities for youths.
Barbara Fogarty, a personal trainer in Lewiston and a board member of the Maine Cycling Club, helped riders prepare for the event during group rides this summer offered by the Dempsey Challenge. For many, she said, completing the longer bike routes is a significant achievement.
“Some people hadn’t been biking as much as they should. They’d start a ride, and I’d have to escort them back (to the start),” Fogarty said.
Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at: dfleming@pressherald.com
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