1,200 Spinners Hit Southern California’s South Bay Shores to Cycle for Cancer Charities; Olympians Tony Cruz, Heather Petri, Eric Fonoimoana, 7-time US Ocean Ironman Champion, Craig Hummer and NFL Quarterback, Matt Leinart were among the Celebrity Riders
LOS ANGELES, CA – (May 22, 2014) Raising a half-million dollars is an amazing accomplishment for any fundraising event, but for the award-winning Tour de Pier, it was a dream come true. Held on the Manhattan Beach Pier on May 18, the 2nd Annual Tour de Pier hosted thousands of attendees with 1,200 riders cycling on stationary bikes while taking in a Southern California iconic ocean view, each cyclist riding in memory of a loved-one and/or for a great cause.
Only in its sophomore year, the award-winning Tour de Pier raised $503,000 for three cancer charities: the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research; Cancer Support Community and the Livestrong Foundation surpassing last year’s fundraising efforts by 48%. “We have had an unexpected and extraordinary year,” said Heath Gregory, co-founder, Tour de Pier. “The fact that we have accomplished so much in a short time proves that we have more valuable work to do in raising awareness and money for cancer research and finding a cure,” he added. “Due to the success of the past two years, we have already begun planning bigger and exciting things for next year’s Tour de Pier.”
With the help and generosity of strong community supporters, sponsors and donors, the Tour de Pier is gaining notoriety as “the” spring charity event to support. It is quickly becoming one of the “hottest” outdoor charity events in Southern California. Olympic champions and professional athletes banded together to donate their time and sweat in supporting the Tour de Pier. Celebrity riders included: Olympic Gold Medal Water Polo Winner Heather Petri; Olympic Cyclist Tony Cruz; Gold Medal Volleyball Winner Eric Fonoimoana; 7-time US Ocean Ironman Champion Craig Hummer and NFL Quarterback, Matt Leinart.
Led by some of the South Bay’s best instructors, riders rode through a four-hour session with energizing music and loads of excitement. In addition to cycling, the family-fun event also had a Health & Fitness Expo, a Kids Fun Zone with games and fitness activities as well as live entertainment.
ABOUT THE TOUR DE PIER:
Jon Hirshberg, who started the first LA Cancer Challenge after the loss of his father Ron in 1997, came across the idea of doing a spin bike fundraiser after learning about an event that raised over $3 million in one day at cycling studios across the country. He approached his friend and long-time cycling enthusiast, Heath Gregory, about the idea of putting on a one-day event in their hometown of Manhattan Beach, CA. Coincidentally, Gregory had participated in a similar event produced by Livestrong in Barcelona during the 2009 Tour de France and vividly remembered hundreds of riders moving in unison all for a common cause. With the Hirshberg Foundation on board to produce the event and a team of board members eager to participate, planning for the Tour de Pier began.
After months of preparation, the Inaugural Tour de Pier was held in May 2013 at the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier and raised over $339,000 for local charities. With the unprecedented projected success of the Tour de Pier, the City of Manhattan Beach granted approval for the following year within three days of the event.
In March 2014, the City of Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Department won a prestigious award for Outstanding Special Event for the Tour de Pier, presented by the State of California Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Competing against other cities throughout California, Tour de Pier was recognized as an event that significantly contributes to the overall betterment of the community. For more information, please visit www.tourdepier.com.
