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Thousands Of Cyclists Hit Mass. Roads For PMC

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — Thousands of cyclists are taking to the roads this weekend for the 33rd annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge charity bicycle ride.

The fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund kicked off Friday with opening ceremonies in Sturbridge.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

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Nearly 2,700 riders, including U.S. Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, took off from Sturbridge in the pre-dawn hours Saturday for the main event, a two-day, 190-mile ride to Provincetown. Both senators are participating the first day. Another 2,100 riders are pedaling from Wellesley for other routes of varying lengths.

The routes go through 46 towns.

The Pan-Mass Challenge has raised about $338 million for cancer research, including $35 million last year, making it the most successful athletic fund-raising event in the country. This year's goal is $36 million.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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