Over 5,000 riders took part in the challenge at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Sunday
Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra Kemp(Image: PA Wire)
Sir Chris Hoy said he was “overwhelmed” after thousands of cyclists joined him in Glasgow for his inaugural Tour de 4 event, which raised more than £2m has been for cancer charities.
Over 5,000 riders took part in the challenge at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Sunday, with the six-time Olympic champion leading the mass cycle despite living with stage-four prostate cancer. The 49-year-old revealed his diagnosis last year after being told by doctors he had just two to four years to live.
A tumour was discovered in his shoulder before further scans revealed primary cancer in his prostate which had spread to his bones.
Hoy completed the 56-mile ride alongside many close friends and famous faces on an emotional day.
The likes of Sir Andy Murray, Sir Ben Ainslie, swimmers Duncan Scott and Rebecca Adlington and Paralympian cyclist and swimmer, Dame Sarah Storey — as well as fellow cycling stars Sir Mark Cavendish and Sir Jason Kenny — all took part in the event.
Hoy said of the day: “I am totally overwhelmed by today, the support we have received and the amazing people who came to Glasgow – it’s incredible.
“When I first set out to create this event I plucked £1m out of the air as it sounded like a pretty decent amount to raise!
“Today we have more than doubled that and I am so delighted.”
He added: “Every single person who has ridden, fundraised or donated – this is down to you. Thank you.”
Funds from the event will be split between Breast Cancer Now, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan, Maggie’s and Prostate Cancer UK, with thousands of donations made through GoFundMe.
Hoy posted a picture on social media alongside his wife, Sarra, who also took part despite her own health issues, with a cheque made out for £2.1m. In the caption, he wrote: “It’s been a truly extraordinary day. I have run out of words.
“I’ll leave you with this picture and give a full reflection on the @tour_de4 tomorrow. THANK YOU EVERYONE.”
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Ahead of the event, Sarra, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis around the same time her husband received his devastating cancer news, said before the event: “I can’t believe I have entered and intend to cycle 56 miles up a hill. With my own health concerns too, I am doing this for me as well as for @chrishoy1 – no one can inspire you the way he does! I am so lucky. He’s one in a million.”
GoFundMe’s Senior Vice President, John Coventry, also hailed the event as “truly extraordinary”, adding: “We’re proud to stand behind the people whose kindness and support made the Tour de 4’s £2m milestone possible.”
Hoy launched the Tour de 4 to raise money and challenge perceptions around stage-four cancer after his own diagnosis.
Speaking before the Tour de 4, Hoy spoke candidly about the effect the initial diagnosis he received, saying he questioned whether he would ever feel happy again.
But in a life-affirming press conference, he added that it “becomes part of your life” and insisted that you “don’t have to be defined by it.”
“To anybody who is going through a similar thing, just hang on tight,” he said.
“You’ll get through it, it’ll get easier. It seems like the worst thing in the world right now, but you can, you can do it.”
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For more information or to donate, visit Tour de 4’s GoFundMe page here.