Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad returns for 17th year

Manitoba Motorcycle Ride for Dad organizers presented a cheque for $650,000 dedicated to prostate cancer research in the province on Thursday April 17, 2025. (Scott Andersson/CTV News Winnipeg)

Manitoba motorcycle enthusiasts will want to mark May 31 on their calendar this year to take part in a significant effort to raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research.

The Motorcycle Ride for Dad (MRFD) is returning for a 17th year this spring as a part of annual Ride for Dad events in nearly 30 Canadian cities.

“Our 2025 prostate cancer education and awareness campaign starts today, and our main message to Manitobans is the importance of early detection,” said said Moe Sabourin, co-chair of MRFD.

On Thursday, event organizers held a campaign kick-off event at Trans Canada Brewing Co. and presented $650,000 to Manitoba prostate cancer researchers. The money was raised from the 2024 MRFD.

This year, the MRFD event starts at Earls Polo Park at 10 a.m. and continues with a police-escorted parade westbound on Portage Avenue to Assiniboia Downs. The ride then continues to Selkirk, Gimli and then back for a wind-up event at Cowboys, Canad Inns Windsor Park.

The organization has found more than 1.2 million men in Canada have prostate cancer, and 80 per cent are unaware of their condition.

Ed Johner, spokesperson for MRFD, said a simple three-minute prostate-specific antigen test can save your life.

“I wouldn’t be here today if I had avoided being tested,” Johner said.

“That’s our message to men and their families—the best way to fight prostate cancer is with early diagnosis.”

Funds for the event are raised by riders collecting pledges. Non-riders can assist the cause by making donations directly to MRFD or by supporting an individual rider. Organizers said the goal this year is to once again raise over $600,000 for prostate cancer research and education in Manitoba.

According to the organization, more than $43 million has been raised to fight prostate cancer since the first Ride for Dad took place in Ottawa in 2000.

Riders and pledge donors can register online at ridefordad.ca/manitoba.

MRFD is hoping to surpass the number of registered riders this year, with a record of 1,547 set in 2019.