In its fourth year, Pelotonia raised more money than ever before with more than $16.8 million.

Pelotonia, a bike ride to raise money for cancer research, broke the record for the largest single-event biking fundraiser in the nation this year and reached $42 million in donations since it began in 2009, according to a press release.

In the annual bike ride – which begins and ends in the greater Columbus area – participants can ride 25 to 180 miles. This year, the ride took place during the second weekend of August, and each rider raised an average of $2,715. All proceeds went to Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and the Richard J. Solove Research Institute at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center.

In 2012, the fundraiser raised more than $16.8 million in donations, which was a 28 percent increase from 2011. Portions of the amounts raised have also gone toward 29 Idea Grants, or research grants, and 160 students receiving more than $5 million through Pelotonia’s fellowship. This fellowship is given to students at all levels who are conducting cancer research in faculty member’s labs, according to the press release.

This year’s proceeds were presented to President E. Gordon Gee and  Dr. Michael Caligiuri, director of the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and CEO of the James Cancer Hospital, on Nov.15, according to the press release.

Tom Lennox, Founder and CEO of Pelotonia said in the press release that he is proud of the progress and the participants that have come from 43 states and 3 countries.

“To donate $16.8 million in 2012 and more than $42 million in just four years expresses the relentless spirit of the Pelotonia community to end cancer. We recognize our responsibility to drive progress, and we accept the challenge of attracting friends to our movement,” Lennox said according to the press release. “We are incredibly grateful for the commitment of our riders, volunteers, funding partners and everyone who donated or supported this year’s ride. We have enormous potential going forward, and we are just getting started.”