MIDDLEBURY/BURLINGTON —The 12th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, drew 810 cyclists and 40 adaptive athletes who raised more than $521,000 to empower those with paralysis through sport and recreation and to prevent ski racing injuries.
The event was held Saturday, Sept. 9, in Middlebury. The cyclists started rides of 20, 50 and 100 miles at the Middlebury College football stadium and pedaled out to the Lake Champlain Bridge and around Addison and Chittenden counties before returning to the starting point.
“This incredible level of support from participants, and those who supported them, will help us continue improving the lives of those with paralysis through sport and recreation and further our mission to prevent ski racing injuries,” said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “Last year we had nearly 200 requests for assistance purchasing adaptive gear and we expect that number to grow this year, as it has every year since we started the foundation more than a decade ago.”
To date, funds raised from the event have contributed to the purchase of more than 475 pieces of adaptive sports equipment such as handcycles, sport wheelchairs and monoskis to adaptive athletes in 47 states. In addition, the foundation has supported ski clubs and race organizations across the country in efforts to improve ski racing safety, helping protect thousands of racers around the country with safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness campaigns.
For more information visit www.kellybrushfoundation.org.
The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Audi South Burlington, Sugarbush Resort, World Cup Supply, Murphy Realty Company and more than 30 other sponsors.