Event proceeds will support Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

New York City, October 2, 2025 – 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), is excited to announce that cycling legend and Tour de France Stage Winner Mark Cavendish will serve as Honorary Chair of the Inaugural Best Buddies Challenge: New York, presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs and Wells Fargo. on Saturday, October 4th. Nearly 750 people are expected to participate in the Challenge – a charity ride, run, and walk to benefit Best Buddies International. The event is expected to raise $3 Million for Best Buddies programs.

“Best Buddies is incredibly excited to bring the Best Buddies Challenge to New York City for the very first time,” said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Best Buddies International. “To have cycling icon Mark Cavendish serve as our Honorary Chair makes this milestone event even more special. His passion, energy, and commitment to inclusion will inspire participants and shine a spotlight on the incredible mission of Best Buddies as we ride together to create a more inclusive world.”

The Challenge kicks off on Friday, October 3rd with a welcome reception at the iconic Rainbow Room in New York City. On Saturday, October 4, hundreds of cyclists, including Tour de France Champion Mark Cavendish and professional cyclists Alberto Contador, Cam Wurf, and Leanda Cave will take the starting line in New York City for the picturesque 100-mile ride portion of the Best Buddies Challenge: New York. The 100-mile riders will embark from New York City and cross the George Washington Bridge to continue north along the Hudson River Valley to Bear Mountain State Park. From the summit, riders will roll through Harriman State Park and continue west to finish at the Glenmere Mansion in the Ramapo Mountains. Celebrity guests scheduled to attend the weekend’s festivities include Journalist Maria Shriver and son Christopher Schwarzenegger; and the newly crowned Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan.

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 36 and 15-mile cycling routes, and a 5K run or walk option.

This year’s Challenge sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors Jersey Mike’s Subs and Wells Fargo. Central Park Sponsors BODYARMOR – Official Water & Sports Beverage Partner of Best Buddies; fairlife – Official Sports Recovery Partner of Best Buddies; Klingman & Associates ; The Carolan Foundation; and The Coca-Cola Company – Official Beverage Partner of Best Buddies: Hudson Valley Sponsors: Citadel; The Charles A. Mastronardi Foundation; and Volvo Car USA; Glenmere Sponsors: Brookfield, BNY Mellon, Citco, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Fanatics, Liberty Beverages Coca-Cola, Mark Edward Partners, UBS, and Waymo; and Official Bike Sponsor Pinarello.

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.

For media inquiries:
Nicole Maddox
NicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org