(Marinette, Wis.) – Bay Area Medical Center has assumed organizational responsibility for one of the biggest events of the year in the Marinette Menominee area – The Menominee River Century Bike Ride.

The Ride, which is entering its 22nd year, had been looking for a lead organization or funding source to move away from an all-volunteer structure.

The MRC annually draws at least 1,400 bicyclists – many from well outside the Twin City area. However, this year's event may have been the last had BAMC not jumped in.

The ride chair from last year had stepped down and, although an interim chair has been found, the group’s organizers viewed that as a stopgap measure at best.

" It wasn't going to die this year because I would've done it," interim chair Kathy Claycomb said. "But it would've died a slow death."

Instead, Bay Area Medical Center began holding discussions with the ride organizers in late 2002 to see if BAMC would be a good fit for taking over the ride. In January, the ride and BAMC reached agreement for BAMC to assume responsibility for the Menominee River Century.

Running the event is just another step in involvement for BAMC, according to Director of Marketing and 2003 Ride Chair John Hofer. “We have always assumed an active role in the Menominee River Century,” Hofer said. “We are a major sponsor of the Ride, our dietary department provides much of the food to the rest stops and we have many employees who ride on our team each year.”

"This is one of those kinds of events that goes a long way towards our mission of promoting healthier lifestyles," according to Hofer.

With 22 years of tried and true volunteer organization, the same formula will be used for this year's event, to be held on June 29. "My goal this year is a clean transition, and for survey evaluation forms to come back as they have in the past,” Hofer said.

Since its inception in 1981, the ride has grown to over 1,400 riders and is considered one of the most popular rides in the Midwest. It is among the three largest one-day rides in Wisconsin.

Employees of what were then the two hospitals in the area – Menominee County Lloyd and Marinette General first organized the ride. Members of that first organizational committee remain active in the ride.

The Spokes & Folks Bicycle Club of Marinette has always served an integral role in the event's organization. By relinquishing some of its responsibilities to BAMC, the club can focus more on promoting bicycle safety programs.

"A blueprint really is laid out as to what has to happen when," Hofer said. "It's a big project that has very high expectations. But the good news is that everybody wants to see it continue to succeed."

" The hospital is absolutely the perfect institution to take over this ride," according to Claycomb. "So, the bike ride has come home."

The Ride is now accepting registrations for the 2003 event through its web site at www.mrcride.com.