Sanford Health Great American Bike Race

A fundraiser for children and young adults with cerebral palsy and related disabilities

GABR 2013 results »

GABR shirts for sale: Long-sleeve GABR T-shirts are on sale for $10 through May 1 at the Sanford Women's Health Center, 1100 College Drive, Bismarck. Sizes L, XL and 2XL are left.

The event

The 2013 Sanford Great American Bike Race will be on Saturday, April 13, at Century High School, 1000 E. Century Ave. in Bismarck, N.D.

Teams of 12 cyclists compete against each other riding for 20-minute intervals with a 10-minute break to change riders. The name of the game is fun, so you don't have to be Tour de France caliber to enter. Plenty of contestants will need to take frequent breaks during their 20 minutes of cycling.

• Every entrant receives a GABR T-shirt and gets entered into a drawing for additional prizes.
• The team that bikes the most miles and the team that raises the most money will receive special prizes.
• The cyclist who bikes the most miles and the cyclist who raises the most money will each receive a special prize.
• Lunch is sold at the race. Proceeds from lunch sales benefit GABR.

The cause

A family who has a child with even a mild form of cerebral palsy has many expenses above and beyond what their insurance will cover.

2012 Sanford Great American Bike Race raises more than $340,000

The 16th annual Sanford Great American Bike Race (GABR), held Saturday, April 28, at Century High School in Bismarck, raised more than $340,000—a record amount. GABR-generated dollars pay for medical services and purchase equipment such as wheelchairs, communication devices and adaptive tricycles for children and young adults with cerebral palsy or related disabilities.

The 2012 GABR involved 1,251 riders on 106 bikes pedaling a combined 7,970.3 miles. Additionally, three teams of 12 people rocked in rocking chairs during the event and raised $4,768.

The Lindsay Trauger Memorial Spirit Award was presented to Pat Saltsman. In addition to raising more than $30,000 for the event in the past eight years, she serves on the GABR committee, is a bike mechanic and rides in the event.

For the fourth year in a row, the Sanford Pediatric Therapy "A" Team was voted as the most creative team. The "A" Team consists of Sanford Pediatric Rehabilitation department associates. Team members were dressed as "Cars 2" characters, including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Fillmore and more.

"I was stunned to find out we raised even more money that last year," said Beth Thune, GABR co-director. "Our community wraps their arms around this event. Being able to help improve the lives of children and young adults with cerebral palsy or related disabilities keeps people coming back for more."

GABR has grown to be the largest fundraiser of its kind in the United States. Since it began, GABR has raised more than $1.8 million.