The 13th annual Gran Fondo Hincapie Greenville cycling event was held Oct. 19. The race and surrounding events raised nearly $700,000 for the Polk County Community Foundation in Tryon, North Carolina, which was among the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“This year’s Gran Fondo Hincapie was a last-minute shift in focus, but it quickly became a full-scale fundraising effort,” said Rich Hincapie, president of Hincapie Events. “Once we decided to pivot, George, myself, and the whole family started reaching out to our networks.”
Photos: 2024 The Cliffs Celebrity Chef Dinner
The fundraising efforts involved both cyclists and non-cyclists participating in several events:
- Fundraising dinners on Oct. 17-18 which attracted roughly 500 people combined.
- Donations made by race attendees on Oct. 19.
- Local artist Jared Emerson created a speed painting of Mark Cavendish, winner of a record 35 Tour de France stages, during an after party on Oct. 19. Cavendish signed the painting and it raised $92,500.
- A downtown Greenville fund raising gala which raised more than $240,000.
- An auction of George Hincapie’s 2006 Tour de France Prologue bicycle, which raised $45,000.
The goal is to raise more than $1 million. Fundraising efforts are still active. For those interested in donating, visit polkcountycommunityfoundation.ddock.gives.
