of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the only national 24-hour road
cycling charity event in the country, today announced that over
$1,080,000 has been raised to date for the Ninth Annual 24 Hours of
Booty that took place in Charlotte on July 30-31.
"While it wasn't the first year we broke the million-dollar mark, it
was the first time we did so prior to the event. We couldn't have
achieved this milestone without the tremendous support from everyone
involved, including Queens University of Charlotte for serving as the
host site and to the Myers Park neighborhood for accommodating us and
cheering on our riders throughout the event," said Basil Lyberg,
executive director of24 Hours of Booty.
In its nine-year history, more than 7,500 riders have raised $4.8
million to help fight cancer. Funds raised from the event will
support The Lance Armstrong Foundation, The Keep Pounding Fund at
Carolinas Medical Center, the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas and
the Be The Match Foundation.
On July 30-31, 1,200 participants from 24 different states rode in
Charlotte's Myers Park neighborhood along the famed "Booty Loop" to
help stop cancer in its tracks. The non-competitive charity event that
brought in riders of all ages and skill levels featured Cathy Bessant,
head of global operations and technology at Bank of America, Sir Purr
of the Carolina Panthers as its official starters. 24 Hours of Booty
Founder Spencer Lueders; Tonia Bendickson, WBTV; Chris Brewer; Lance
Armstrong Foundation, Dr. Jeffrey Kneisl; Medical Director of
Blumenthal Cancer Center at Carolinas Medical Center; and Denicee
Becker, a brain tumor survivor, were featured in the Opening
Ceremonies program.
Added Lyberg, "Kudos to our family of amazing participants, sponsors,
volunteers and staff who each play an essential role in this event and
in making a huge difference in the fight against cancer."
When not riding, participants hung out in "Bootyville" (a.k.a. the
Queens University of Charlotte Athletic Fields) for camping, food and
fun. The event also included entertainment and a "Survivor Hour"
program to honor cancer survivors. 24 Hours of Booty was supported by
more than 200 volunteers, 20 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
representatives stationed along the course at all times, and by the
Queens University of Charlotte Police Department.
Carolinas Medical Center's Blumenthal Cancer Center served as the
presenting sponsor of the event and other sponsors included: Silver-
level sponsors: Big View Diner and Nolen Kitchen, Clear Channel Radio
Charlotte, Integraphx, Jostens, Mountain Khakis, Queens University of
Charlotte, Robinson Thinks, Trek, vitaminwater, and WBTV New 3. Bronze-
level sponsors: Andrew Blair's, Bicycle Sport, Diamond Springs
Water,Donald Haack Diamonds & Fine Gems, Giordana Custom, Great
Harvest Bread, HMS Worldwide, Medi Weightloss Clinics, Something
Classic Catering & Cafe, Total Cyclist, Yakima, and Zoës Kitchen.
Value-in-kind sponsors: American Italian Pasta Company, Blue Bell Ice
Cream, Carolina Green Foodservice Supply, Endurance Magazine, Fuel
Pizza Café, Green Mountain Coffee, The Melting Pot, REI, and Time
Warner Cable.
Top fund-raiser award winners included:
· Top Team: Bank of America – $72,553
· Top Fundraiser: Sandy Morgart, Bank of America – $21,502
· First Runner Up Individual Fundraiser: Chuck Cullen, Team
Gita – $20,260
· Second Runner Up Individual Fundraiser: Chris Moffat,
MojoRiding – $17,280
· First Runner Up Fundraising Team: Team Gita – $59,263.26
· Second Runner Up Fundraising Teams: MojoRiding – $51,031.22
About 24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling
Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the only national 24-hour
road cycling charity event in the country – is a registered 501(c)(3)
non-profit charity located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary
cycling events that are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling
ability. Its mission is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that
increase public awareness, funds, and support for the Lance Armstrong
Foundation and local cancer organizations. Local organizations
include The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center and the
Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas in Charlotte, the Ulman Cancer Fund
for Young Adults in Columbia, Md., and Children's HealthCare of Atlanta.
In addition to the Charlotte event, 24 Hours of Booty will also host
the Second Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at Gateway
Business Park "Booty Loop" on Aug.28-29 and its inaugural event at
Stone Mountain in Atlanta on Oct.2-3. For more information, call
704-365-4417 or visit www.24hoursofbooty.org.
Get updates and the inside scoop about 24 Hours of Booty! Follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/24hoursofbooty and become a 24 Hours of
Booty "fan" on Facebook.
Photo Credit:
Courtesy of Patrick Schneider Photography
