Charity Cycling Event, Pan-Mass Challenge, Strengthens Alliance with Holy Cross and Worcester Institutions
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the largest single athletic fundraiser in the United States, has announced a significant change for its 2026 event. Starting next year, the PMC will begin its ride at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts [1].
This move is intended to provide riders with more space and access to modern facilities, marking a significant logistical and symbolic development for the event. However, there is no direct information linking the PMC or this partnership to Major Taylor, the noted Black cycling champion [1].
The College of the Holy Cross has partnered with the PMC to bring the event to Worcester. As part of this partnership, the College will be responsible for rider and volunteer registration, as well as hosting the official PMC 2026 Opening Ceremonies.
The PMC, founded in 1980, has grown to become Dana-Farber's largest single contributor, raising a total of $1.047 billion for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since its inception [1]. The goal of the PMC is to provide the resources necessary for Dana-Farber doctors and researchers to discover cures for all cancers.
PMC 2026 is expected to bring together more than 6,800 riders and 3,500 volunteers. The exact date of the event is not specified, but it is set to take place on a Saturday and Sunday in August 2026.
Separately, the College of the Holy Cross has completed the review of applications for the Class of 2027. Students admitted through the Regular Decision process were notified of their acceptance on March 18. The College will serve as the official starting line for the PMC, replacing its previous start in Sturbridge.
Meanwhile, Rev. Thomas Worcester, S.J., a faculty member of the history department at the College of the Holy Cross since 1994, has been appointed as the president of Regis College in Toronto, Ontario, starting from August. Father Worcester achieved tenure in 2000 and was promoted to professor in 2010 at the College of the Holy Cross.
In Worcester, Massachusetts, Dan Donahue, a 2009 Holy Cross alumnus, is the State Representative. Students from the College participated in a stand-out for State Representative Dan Donahue '09 on the corner of Cambridge and Southbridge Streets.
While the connection between Major Taylor and the PMC or College of the Holy Cross may be implied or part of broader efforts to honor cycling history and diversity, this specific partnership and its historical significance relative to Major Taylor is not detailed in the search results provided. Additional information from PMC organizers or the College of the Holy Cross would be needed to fully explore any thematic or commemorative linkages to Major Taylor.
[1] Source: [Link to the original source if available]
- The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is expected to mark a new tradition, beginning its ride at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 2026, bringing more space and access to modern facilities.
- As part of the partnership between the PMC and the College of the Holy Cross, the College will oversee rider and volunteer registration, and host the official PMC 2026 Opening Ceremonies.
- The College of the Holy Cross, in addition to partnering with the PMC, has completed the review of applications for the Class of 2027, with students admitted through Regular Decision notified of their acceptance on March 18.
- In Worcester, Massachusetts, Denmark Donahue, a 2009 Holy Cross alumnus, serves as the State Representative, and students from the College participated in a stand-out for State Representative Dan Donahue '09.
- Although there is no direct information linking the PMC or this partnership to Major Taylor, the noted Black cycling champion, there may be an implied connection or broader efforts to honor cycling history and diversity, requiring more information from PMC organizers or the College of the Holy Cross to fully explore any thematic or commemorative linkages to Major Taylor.
