Tour de Cure mixes fun and fundraising

The American Diabetes Association will stage its annual Tour de Cure for athletically inclined donors on Saturday at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville.

The tour offers a 5K fun run/walk and four road-bike routes beginning at the museum, 600 Museum Way, Bentonville. And, in a twist said to be unique among the nation’s Tours de Cure, there are two mountain bike rides too.

These noncompetitive events are for all skill levels; the only contest is among teams of donors who like to outdo one another with generous fundraising.

In addition to a registration fee, participants commit to raise at least $200. Registration is $30 until Thursday, $35 on Saturday.

The mountain bikers, being new, can participate for the registration fee plus $20, without raising the $200 minimum; but only those who give at least $200 get a T-shirt.

The 5K fun run/walk begins at 10:30 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m., mountain bikers can join a 10-mile beginner ride to Slaughter Pen or a 20-mile ride intended for intermediates.

The road-biking options include 100, 62, 30 or 10 miles. The two longest routes will start at 6:30 a.m.; the 30-milers will begin at 8:30 a.m.; and the 10-mile family fun ride will start at 9:30 a.m.

Panera Bread will supply breakfast from 5:30 to 9:30 a.m.; Einstein’s Bagels will supply second breakfast from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; lunches will be courtesy of On The Border (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and Carrabba’s Italian Grill (12:30 to 4 p.m.).

To register online, Google “Tour de Cure Arkansas.” The contact in Bentonville is Brianna Hickey at (479) 464-4121, Extension 6859, or bhickey@diabetes.org.