Horner to ride Columbia Gorge Gran Fondo in September

Mar 2, 2010 by editor

PlanetZ/Echelon announced today it has formed a partnership with professional cyclist Chris Horner for the inaugural Sept. 26 Echelon Gran Fondo in The Columbia River Gorge.

Horner, a resident of Bend, will serve as an event ambassador and aid in creating greater awareness of the organization’s commitment to community focused cycling events that raise money for local and national cancer institutions. The majority of entry fees and additional donations contributed by participating individuals and teams will support the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG.

Horner has been a dominant figure for more than 15 years in international pro cycling and is a member of the newly formed Team RadioShack with Americans Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney. He said he’s excited to partner with Echelon and the community of Portland.

“When I was approached by Echelon and learned about their event goals, a unique opportunity was created for me to support the beneficiary organizations and participate on my home turf,” Horner said.

The primary local beneficiary of the Echelon event is the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, considered one of the nation’s top cancer centers. With the latest treatments, technologies, hundreds of research studies and approximately 400 clinical trials, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only cancer center between Sacramento and Seattle designated by the National Cancer Institute — an honor earned only by the nation’s top cancer centers.

The event’s national beneficiary is the globally recognized Lance Armstrong Foundation, which leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Additionally, a portion of funds will also support the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, an Oregon nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the restoration of the historic highway through the Columbia River.

“Having Chris as part of this event is quite a thrill,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of Echelon. “His spirited personality and his commitment to generating awareness for our event are exciting. We look forward to our Portland participants having the opportunity to meet and ride with Chris.”

Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA, and Portland, OR, has created 30-, 60-, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event.

About PlanetZ/Echelon: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money for local and national cancer focused institutions.

(Submitted by PlanetZ/Echelon).