Cyclists from around the world take on ‘extraordinary’ 110km Leeds challenge for breast cancer research
“Cancer will be cured, and we won’t stop pedalling (or running) until it is”
50 people from across the globe took on an extreme physical challenge in Leeds last weekend to raise money to support breast cancer research.
A multi-generational cohort of pink-dressed volunteers undertook 110km of cycling in Ilkley on Sunday, October 4, to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
The event, named Hell of the North, was organised by Le Cure, a non-profit which has raised almost £4m to support research fellowships and fund specialist equipment to drive breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment.
The challenge started and finished at Nell Bank and saw riders who had travelled from as far afield as the French Alps and California pass through Askwith, Fountains Abbey, Darley, and Greenhow.
The Hell of the North also saw participants, known as ‘curistas’, take on the legendary hill climb out of Pateley Bridge before heading up Barden Fell.
When the triumphant cyclists returned to Nell Bank, they were greeted with an army of friends and family.
Alongside this, local businesses offered their support as café La Stazione fuelled riders with bacon and egg sandwiches and Ilkley Brewery supplied drinks to rehydrate.
Le Cure was founded in 2014 by friends Dan Cullen-Shute, Patrick Kerr, and Tony Butler.
Historically, the charity’s fundraising efforts have centred around an epic four-day ride in the French Alps, where participants complete a cycling climb taller than Everest.
As Dan now lives just outside Ilkley however, the trio felt inspired to bring Le Cure to Yorkshire.
Dan said: “What an incredible day - Yorkshire at its absolute finest, and 50 Curistas in pink smashing it up and down some of the gnarliest climbs around to raise money for research that’s already changing lives.
“Under Professor Nick Turner at the Marsden, Le Cure funding enables world-leading oncologists and researchers to pursue work that is already changing the way breast cancer is detected and treated.
“Cancer will be cured, and we won’t stop pedalling (or running) until it is - rest assured, this is our first Hell of the North, not our last.”
Money raised by Le Cure Money is donated to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where it has been instrumental in developing and furthering the use of “liquid biopsies”, where blood tests are used to detect the presence of mutated cancer DNA, which can reveal whether or not the cancer is likely to return.
Dan has praised the cyclists who took part in Sunday’s Hell of the North, or who are set to support Le Cure at a future event.
Dan said: “Some Curistas are seasoned cyclists, others are total beginners: they’re all doing something extraordinary for an incredible cause.
“Whether it’s pedalling in Yorkshire this weekend, running the Royal Parks Half Marathon next weekend, joining us in France in August, or grabbing a Curista spot at the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to get involved.”
The Hell of the North will return to Ilkley next autumn.
Anyone interested in riding in 2027, supporting Le Cure, or taking part in one of its other cycling and running events can find out more through the Le Cure website.