Over 1,700 cyclists pedal to raise awareness and funds for Alberta Cancer Foundation

Over 1,700 cyclists are riding over 200 km this weekend to raise funds for cancer research. Tyler Barrow reports.

More than 1,700 cyclists -- many of them cancer patients or survivors -- are taking part in the Enbridge Tour Alberta for Cancer event this weekend.

Riders will pedal either 65 or 100 kilometres a day to raise awareness and money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Funds will support the more than 24,000 Albertans who are diagnosed with cancer each year.

The money is directly invested into cancer research including groundbreaking clinical trials, patient support programs and enhanced care delivered at 17 Alberta cancer centres.

Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO Wendy Beauchesne said 2025 was a record-setting year for the event.

“We’ve raised $9.34 million that is going directly to patients facing cancer in this province,” said Beauchesne.

She said the event drew participants from across the country.

“The great thing about this event is that it draws people from all over. We’ve got people here from B.C., we’ve got people here from all over Alberta not just the Calgary area even though we’re here in Strathmore, we’ve got people here from Saskatchewan and beyond – it truly is this amazing community that comes together year after year to give more hope, and more time, for those people who are facing cancer.

“I am completely humbled and inspired by the generosity of the people who step forward year after year. There are people here who have ridden all 17 years!”

Enbridge

Enbridge, which has sponsored the event since 2010, entered a team of 158 cyclists who have collectively raised more than $825,000.

Over that period of time, Enbridge has raised more than $110 million to improve cancer care in Alberta.

“If feels good to be on this purpose-driven cause, not just for my own cancer journey, but for everyone impacted by this disease,” said Max Chan, Enbridge senior vice-president of operations and engineering liquid pipelines, who is also the chair of the board of trustees for the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

“I ride as a survivor, and for everyone still facing that fight. What keeps me coming back is the amazing community and powerful sense of hope that stems from this event.”

Robin Crowle said he was cycling 200 kilometres in two days to honour the memory of his sister, who died from breast cancer in 2021.

“Losing a family member to cancer is like nothing else – it’s a hurt that never really goes away. But we try to live on through her legacy and make her proud every day," Crowle said.

He said the memory of her was what fuelled him to make it through a gruelling weekend.

“It’s my main motivation to get through this,” he said. “It’s tough—but it’s not as tough as what everybody goes through when they’re battling cancer so this is the least we can do."

The event started Saturday morning at the Strathmore Stampede Grounds.

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow