AKEVILLE -- It is an event that attracts 46-year-olds like Steve Leahy from Barrington, R.I., and 11-year-olds like Ryan Murphy from Chelmsford, even 2-year-olds like Jayden Trinidad from New Bedford. Each is surviving one the most feared and widespread diseases in the country -- cancer.
Separately, they stood among crowds of families, patients, and survivors at Apponequet Regional High School yesterday, eagerly awaiting the waves of bicyclists who spent the morning pedaling in the first leg of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, an annual two-day bike ride to raise money for cancer research.
''Are they here yet? I don't see them,'' Murphy, who lost part of his left leg to a rare form of bone cancer, said to his mother, Janice.
Within minutes, hundreds of cyclists came whooshing into the crowded high school parking lot for water and a rest about midday. In bright red, yellow, and blue streaks, their bodies whizzed by cheering fans.
All were rain-soaked and sweating, and some grimaced from aching muscles. But as soon as they squeezed the brakes and rolled to a complete stop, people ages 15 to 81 beamed as though they were the first to cross the finish line.
''These people have given up their time and are raising donations for people like Ryan. It's unbelieveable,'' said Janice Murphy, who added that her son is doing remarkably well and plans to be on the Red Sox baseball team when he grows up.
About 3,900 cyclists are participating in this year's challenge, with more than 131 of them cancer survivors. Many cyclists were on teams that sponsored a child with cancer. Each sponsor spent time with the child and, during the ride, wore a jersey bearing the child's name.
For many bicyclists, the 192-mile ride through 46 Massachusetts towns is the most anticipated and arduous challenge they've faced.
''This is my first time doing this,'' said Jim Adams, a native of Rochester N.Y., who sponsored Murphy.
''At first, I thought to myself, `Why am I doing this?' But for guys like you,'' Adams said to Murphy, ''it's worth it.''
This year's challenge drew cyclists from 40 states and six countries, including presidential hopeful Senator John F. Kerry. In February, Kerry underwent surgery to have a cancerous prostate gland removed.
Characterizing it as the nation's original fund-raising bike-a-thon, organizers said the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised more than $86 million for cancer research since its inception in 1980. The money goes to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
''This is the best of humanity,'' said 52-year-old Billy Starr, who started the Pan-Mass Challenge 24-years ago, ''Using your health to help someone else.''
And many families are grateful.
''This is our first year here,'' said Tasia Lopes, as her son Jayden, who has leukemia, wriggled and giggled boisterously in her arms. Thanking the team, Midnight Riders, for pedalling on her son's behalf, Lopes said, ''It's really reassuring, and someday I hope I can do this,''
''This is an exraordinarily meaningful event and experience,'' said Ellen Fisher, 47-year-old teacher from Marblehead who was drenched from a morning storm. Fisher has participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge for the past 11 years.
''We're on a mission to end a disease that had devoured too many of us. And we are going to do it,'' she declared.
