More than 4,300 cyclists pedaled throughout Massachusetts last weekend to defeat cancer. The riders made up the largest field ever in the 26 years of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), which before this year had already raised $145 million for cancer research and treatment through the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund. With so many riders taking part this past weekend, this year’s fundraising goal of $25 million is sure to be met.

“We met so many wonderful riders along the way,” Uta said after riding 84 miles, from Wellesley to Bourne, on the first day of the two-day event. (The two main routes traversed 176 miles or 192 miles over the weekend.) “During the ride, we heard so many inspirational stories from riders—how they were riding in honor of a parent, or a child, or a loved one, or a friend. And the crowds along the course were great. They were not just saying ‘Great job,’ but also ‘Thanks for riding,’ which meant so much.”

Uta was one of many public figures who supported this year’s Challenge. Three-time Tour de France winner Greg Lemond rode, as did four-time Olympic gold medalist speed skater Johann Olav Koss and Massachusetts senator (and cycling aficionado) John Kerry. At a 2,800-person riders’ dinner the night before the first day of the Challenge, Soul Asylum stopped by for an impromptu concert, followed by “American Idol” star Alya Brown.

“I so much enjoyed giving some inspiration to the riders for the next day,” Uta said about her speech at the riders’ dinner. “The whole evening was so beautiful. It really was a magic PMC event.”

First held with just 36 riders in 1980, the two-day event was the first fundraising bike-a-thon in the U.S., and now raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. For more information and to make a donation, visit the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Web site at www.pmc.org.