Boston, June 11, 2024 – This year, over 1,000 people participated in the 25th Anniversary Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs, Shaw’s and Star Market Foundation and The TJX Companies, Inc. More, a cycling, run and walk fundraiser from Boston to Hyannis Port, May 31 – June 1. The Challenge raised more than $4 million in total donations for Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Drake Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and New England Patriots Quarterback, served as Honorary Chair.

The Challenge kicked off on Friday, May 31 with a reception at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston. On Saturday, June 1, hundreds of cyclists, including cycling legend Alberto Contador – winner of all three Grand Tours – the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, and the Tour de France – and professional cyclist Cam Wurf took to the start line at the JFK Library for the picturesque 100-mile ride portion of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, from Boston to Hyannis Port. The Challenge is open to participants of all ages and abilities and is designed to showcase the Best Buddies mission in action. It also features alternative 55 and 20-mile cycling routes, and a 5K run or walk option.

The Challenge was capped off with a New England-style clambake and a private concert by guitar legend Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, at Craigville Beach. During the clambake, executives from Shaw’s and Star Market presented Best Buddies with a $435,000 donation raised from the company’s Spring 2024 in-store register campaign in over 140 stores throughout New England for Best Buddies programs. Best Buddies’ founder Anthony K. Shriver also encouraged guests to “Sponsor a Buddy” (to attend the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference in July) through the Drake Maye Football Toss, a tradition initiated by former Honorary Chair and Best Buddies Global Ambassador Tom Brady. Maye tossed signed footballs to guests who paid $2,000 for each one, giving Best Buddies participants the opportunity to attend the conference. In total, the football toss raised $16,000 and auction for Pinarello’s new Dogma F Road Bike raised $21,000 at Saturday’s clambake in Hyannis Port.

The event was another record-breaking success, and an excellent stride in making the world more inclusive for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Below are the top riders and top fundraising teams for the 25th Anniversary Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.

This year’s Challenge sponsors included: Presenting Sponsors Jersey Mike’s Subs, Shaw’s and Star Market Foundation and The TJX Companies, Inc.; Hyannis Port Club Sponsors BODYARMOR – The Official Water & Sports Beverage Partner of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, Wells Fargo, WHDH/Channel 7; Cape Club Sponsors Coca-Cola – The Official Beverage Partner of Best Buddies, Planned Lifetime Assistance Network (PLAN) of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Inc., and Volvo Car USA; Craigville Beach Club Sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Crescent Capital Partners, Greenberg Traurig, Morgan Stanley, Mark Edward Partners, Santana Team, ServiceNow, Sevita, Silicon Valley Bank, A Division of First Citizens Bank, Teddie Peanut Butter, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Media Sponsor WHDH/Channel 7 – The Official Media Sponsor of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port; Official Bike Sponsor Pinarello; In-Kind Sponsors Cape Air, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and Harpoon Brewery – The Official Beer Sponsor of the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org