ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- More than 11,000 runners compete in the 26.2 with Donna marathon in February, this weekend it is the cyclists turn. More than 900 people came out Veterans Park in St. Johns County to participate in the 26.2 Bike with Donna.
"Absolutely our biggest and best event ever," said Donna Deegan to the crowd of bikers standing at the starting line.
There was plenty of pink at the event. Many of the bikers were decked out in pink for this ride, like Bob Calamita, his outfit included a pink tutu, bra, feather boa and tutu. He was only one of many riders who were having fun and helping the Donna Foundation help those with breast cancer and fund research for a cure.
"I have friends that have breast cancer, I just had a cousin who died who had brain cancer, friends who are survivors, my way of giving back and trying to help them out," Calamita said.
The amount of participants have more than doubled since the event began four years ago and they are raising more money, according to Deegan.
"This is the first time we have really gotten the fundraising going for bike, and it is really a big deal, because if we are going to end this disease, and also care for those who have it we have to raise some money and we are doing a great job, especially this year with a lot of people who came into help us," she said.
Employees at JetBlue Airways worked all year to raise money to donate Sunday.
"All year we return the carts at the airport for a quarter each to raise money, then we raffle off a bike and our company matches us so we raised almost a $1000 to donate to the donna foundation," said Jacob Board from JetBlue Airways.
Deegan admitted she's not much of a biker, but she willing to do anything for the cause.
First Coast News