Motocross champion Ryan Dungey and Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT) announced today they will host The MN Major River-to-River Ride with Ryan Dungey on Sunday, July 15, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Featuring bicycle rides of different lengths for all skill levels, Twin City residents are invited to bike for a cause with Dungey and Target along the St. Croix River and Mississippi River. The ride takes place the day after Dungey competes at Spring Creek in Millville, Minn. as part of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
The MN Major offers two different lengths – a 100 kilometer (62 mile) “Major” and a 25 mile “Minor”. Both will start at Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury, Minn. and follow a route through the St. Croix and Mississippi River valleys. Both rides are timed events and, there will be a timed hill climb for cyclists to test their skills. During the event, there will be a Kids Ride featuring a mile-long loop on the paths of the Bielenberg Sports Center.
100 percent of the $50 registration fee will benefit St. Jude and support its mission of finding cures for children battling cancer and other deadly diseases all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. The event will also be supported by Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong-founded organization that works to empower those affected by cancer. Dungey has been partnered with Livestrong since 2008 and joined the Global Envoy team in 2011.
“I’m really excited about The MN Major; this is a cause that is close to my heart,” said Dungey. “I lost my grandmother to cancer and am committed to doing what I can to help find a cure, and am honored to be in a position to work with my Target and Livestrong partners in an effort to support and contribute to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Target has been committed to supporting St. Jude for more than ten years. Target House, opened in 1999, provides apartments free-of-charge to families of children who are receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude. It provides families with more than just a place to stay while their children undergo treatment at St. Jude; instead the facility is a home-away-from-home where children and their families can rest and heal, gather and find ongoing support. Target also coordinates entertainment events on the St. Jude campus and promotes its commitment to education with the St. Jude School Presented by Target.
“Target has a longstanding partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through Target House, the annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign and involvement of Target’s celebrity partners,” says Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “The MN Major River-to-River Ride allows Target to contribute to our partner in a new and original way by working with our athletes to raise awareness.”
As a Minnesota native, Dungey came up with the River-to-River Ride as a way to incorporate his hometown roots with his enthusiasm for cycling, an activity he incorporates into his regular motocross training. As one of his main sponsors, Target worked with Dungey to develop the event and provide the resources needed to make it a reality.
"Ryan's drive and work ethic is inspiring. He is a true champion and brings that spirit to everything he does. We are honored to have been partnered with Ryan since 2009 and working with him to create the MN Major has been a highlight of the relationship,” says Devin O’Brien, lifestyle marketing manager, Target.
Dungey is currently competing in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, aiming for the top spot on the circuit. In a short three years, he has won every title in professional motocross, including the 450 Supercross Championship and 450 Motocross Championship in his rookie year, and the Motocross Des Nations.
To join in the fun and register for The MN Major River-to-River Ride please visit www.MNMajor.com and follow the event at www.facebook.com/themnmajor and @themnmajor.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,764 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.
The MN Major offers two different lengths – a 100 kilometer (62 mile) “Major” and a 25 mile “Minor”. Both will start at Bielenberg Sports Center in Woodbury, Minn. and follow a route through the St. Croix and Mississippi River valleys. Both rides are timed events and, there will be a timed hill climb for cyclists to test their skills. During the event, there will be a Kids Ride featuring a mile-long loop on the paths of the Bielenberg Sports Center.
100 percent of the $50 registration fee will benefit St. Jude and support its mission of finding cures for children battling cancer and other deadly diseases all while ensuring that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. The event will also be supported by Livestrong, the Lance Armstrong-founded organization that works to empower those affected by cancer. Dungey has been partnered with Livestrong since 2008 and joined the Global Envoy team in 2011.
“I’m really excited about The MN Major; this is a cause that is close to my heart,” said Dungey. “I lost my grandmother to cancer and am committed to doing what I can to help find a cure, and am honored to be in a position to work with my Target and Livestrong partners in an effort to support and contribute to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Target has been committed to supporting St. Jude for more than ten years. Target House, opened in 1999, provides apartments free-of-charge to families of children who are receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude. It provides families with more than just a place to stay while their children undergo treatment at St. Jude; instead the facility is a home-away-from-home where children and their families can rest and heal, gather and find ongoing support. Target also coordinates entertainment events on the St. Jude campus and promotes its commitment to education with the St. Jude School Presented by Target.
“Target has a longstanding partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through Target House, the annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign and involvement of Target’s celebrity partners,” says Laysha Ward, president, community relations, Target. “The MN Major River-to-River Ride allows Target to contribute to our partner in a new and original way by working with our athletes to raise awareness.”
As a Minnesota native, Dungey came up with the River-to-River Ride as a way to incorporate his hometown roots with his enthusiasm for cycling, an activity he incorporates into his regular motocross training. As one of his main sponsors, Target worked with Dungey to develop the event and provide the resources needed to make it a reality.
"Ryan's drive and work ethic is inspiring. He is a true champion and brings that spirit to everything he does. We are honored to have been partnered with Ryan since 2009 and working with him to create the MN Major has been a highlight of the relationship,” says Devin O’Brien, lifestyle marketing manager, Target.
Dungey is currently competing in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, aiming for the top spot on the circuit. In a short three years, he has won every title in professional motocross, including the 450 Supercross Championship and 450 Motocross Championship in his rookie year, and the Motocross Des Nations.
To join in the fun and register for The MN Major River-to-River Ride please visit www.MNMajor.com and follow the event at www.facebook.com/themnmajor and @themnmajor.
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,764 stores across the United States and at Target.com. The company plans to open its first stores in Canada in 2013. In addition, the company operates a credit card segment that offers branded proprietary credit card products. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week. For more information about Target’s commitment to corporate responsibility, visit Target.com/hereforgood.