Hanover
“There were little sprinkles here and there, so just when you started to get overheated, you got cooled off,” said 15-year-old Zach Dexter after crossing the finish line.
He and his friend Wyatt Guillette, both of West Fairlee, rode the 50-mile course on mountain bikes.
“It turned out to be a great day for biking,” Zach said.
More than 4,500 people participated in the event, a fundraiser for cancer research and patient services at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Despite the gloomy weather, they walked, golfed, rowed or biked — some as far as 200 miles over the course of two days.
According to a news release from the cancer center yesterday, this year’s Prouty, the 35th, has raised more than $3 million.
“Even a rainy day doesn’t keep our amazing Prouty family from showing up and blowing us away with their generosity every year,” said Jean Brown, event director and executive director of the Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center.
“When we see the energy and the joy that our participants put into this event, it fuels us throughout the year to make sure that their hard work translates into progress against cancer and a bit more ease in the life of every person with cancer.”
The money supports the center’s “innovative research and ways to ease the journey of cancer patients and their families with such efforts as support groups, art and writing programs, a comfort cart, a resource library, and gas cards,” the release said.
Barb Dyke and Christy Chamberlain were among about 1,200 Prouty volunteers who pitched in this year.
Wearing bright clothing and smiles, they helped direct traffic and called out “Good job!” and “Thank you!” to passing cyclists.
“We’re a little cheering squad,” Chamberlain quipped. The women were part of a team of King Arthur Flour employees volunteering their time at yesterday’s event.
The Prouty is “so helpful,” said Dyke, a cancer survivor who’d been onsite since 5 a.m.
It raises so much money and embodies a feeling of gratitude, she said.
“Everyone is so grateful. Grateful to be here. Grateful to join in. Grateful to the hospital.”
The two-day event, which has its home base at Richmond Middle School, kicked off with a pasta dinner and jazz music Friday at the school. Saturday’s lineup included more food and live music, massages, kids’ activities, and an awards ceremony with prizes for the top fundraisers.
A “Discovery Tent” highlighted the research and patient care that has been supported by Prouty funds, the release said, and researchers and clinicians explained Norris Cotton’s services, offered advice on cancer prevention and “gave short answers to hard cancer questions.”
At the finish line, where the aroma of hamburgers filled the air, the steady stream participants were greeted with whoops and the clang of cowbells.
Dexter, whose mother, Becky Dexter, also rode yesterday, said he and Guillette plan to tackle an even longer Prouty route next year.
With, perhaps, one adjustment.
“I’m going to have to get a road bike soon,” he said.
Aimee Caruso can be reached at acaruso@vnews.com or 603-727-3210.