Courage fundraiser for Mary Bridge returns this month

The annual Mary Bridge Children’s Courage fundraiser returns later this month, with all donor contributions going to support the children and families served by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Network.

Event manager Michelle Sabia said the event is all-ages and all-inclusive with the different participation options.

“I recommend everyone to come and be a part of it,” she said.

The Tahoma Half Century starts at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 at Mill Pond Park in Eatonville (parking at Eatonville High School). Registration is $45 for the 50-mile ride, and there’s a $400 fundraising minimum due by Aug. 17.

The Cascade Cruiser starts at 11 a.m. on the 25th, also at Mill Pond Park, and also sports a $45 registration fee and $400 fundraising minimum.

The Rainier Fat Tire Ride, Walk, or Run starts at 1 p.m. on the 25th, also at Mill Pond Park, with riders getting a 5-to-10-minute head start on the approximately four-mile trail. Registration is $25, with a suggested fundraising goal of $50 (no minimum).

Finally, the only two-day ride, the Northwest Brew, starts at 8 a.m. on both the 25th and 26th, day one at Centralia High School, and day two at Pack Forest in Eatonville. It’s a combined 144 miles. Registration is $75 with a $750 fundraising minimum.

Meanwhile, any child who raises $50 or more gets wings attached to their helmet.

Sabia shared the efforts of a nine-year-old named Jayden — the youngest team captain — who has already raised more than $2,500 this year. She’ll ride in the 1 p.m. event on Saturday, and host a lemonade stand at the finish line on Sunday.

More information on all four routes can be found on the event website listed at the bottom of this article.

The event used to be the Courage Classic, which existed for approximately a quarter-century, with three days of riding over three mountain passes to support Mary Bridge.

After 25 years, we wanted to bring our service area and brought it closer to home in the communities we actually serve and give back to our community, (patients), and expand the event.”

Sabia said people “tend to forget” that beyond the rides themselves, the event is designed to be a weekend celebration.

“After all four rides finish at Pack Forest on Saturday, there’s a beer garden, food, music, free lawn games, free camping, whether you’re riding or not, it’s a weekend adventure,” she said.

Sabia also noted that the event is a great way for people from across the community to support the hospital.

“It is a really wonderful weekend to see everyone so passionate about fundraising and preparing for this event,” she said.

That outpouring of support may just be the best part.

“This is a really well supported event by the community, with a great network of volunteers, and companies, and fundraisers who make this event possible,” she said. “It’s something that everyone should be apart of, and will realize when they get there how wonderful the community is.”

For more information on the event, visit www.ridewithcourage.org.