For the first time every road trekked and every puddle splashed in the Paris to Ancaster supported St. Joe's

HAMILTON, ON, April 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Earlier today, a record 2,750 cyclists, from Olympians and avid cyclists to researchers and patients, crossed the finish line of the Paris to Ancaster: A Ride for Research. In its 23^rd year, this is the first year Paris to Ancaster, Canada's spring cycling classic, has teamed up with a charity partner with all funds raised supporting groundbreaking research at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.   

Gunnar Holmgren won the men's 70k this year with a time of 2h02'15", and Ellen Noble was the winning female in the 70k clocking in at 2h6'15". The 40k race was a close finish with the men's winner Dylan Bibic riding past the finish line at 1h29'06" and the women's winner Paige Foxcroft coming in at 1h33'54". 

Paris to Ancaster officially introduced the 20k family-friendly ride this year, and attracted well over 325 cyclists ranging in age and ability. 

Sera Filice-Armenio, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, was among the 325 people in the newer 20k family ride and, although it wasn't a race, she was eager to finish the route to check in on fundraising success. "We're very grateful for the amazing support of fundraisers and the cycling community in the first year of our partnership with Paris to Ancaster," said Ms. Filice-Armenio.  "All funds raised will support important healthcare research at our Hospital into areas like mental health and addiction, scleroderma, and diseases of the lungs, chest and kidneys, to name a few.  We're supporting research today that will lead to a healthier community not just locally, but around the world, for years to come."

Also riding in the 20k, was rheumatologist, researcher and avid cyclist, Dr. Maggie Larché who led Team Scleroderma Research, a St. Joe's team of physicians, students, researchers, family and friends. Between them, they rode in the 70k, 40k and 20k, all while raising funds for scleroderma research at St. Joe's. "I love cycling and I've always wanted to ride the Paris to Ancaster, but the best part is fundraising for research that will make a difference to my patients – and patients everywhere – who are living with scleroderma," said Dr. Larché.

As cyclists started crossing the finish line, John Thorpe, co-director of the Paris to Ancaster, commented that "for 23 years cyclists have come back again and again to take on the challenging 70k and 40k races. This year, it's been great to see so many new people coming out to try the 20k ride.  We want to get people excited about cycling and supporting the health of the community, and now we can with a ride for everyone and through our partnership with St. Joe's."

Next year's Paris to Ancaster: A Ride for Research is set for Sunday, April 30, 2017.

SOURCE St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation

For media inquiries, contact: Laura Pagnotta, Director, Marketing & Communications, St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, 905-379-3509, [email protected]