More than 1,300 cyclists will hit the streets of the Cleveland area from July 29-31 for the third annual VeloSano charity biking event.
Last year's event raised $3 million to benefit cancer research at the Cleveland Clinic. VeloSano's founders include Stewart and Martha Kohl. Stewart Kohl is co-CEO of Riverside Co., a Cleveland-based private equity firm whose holdings include plastisol compounder Rutland Plastics Inc. PVC window extruder Sunrise Windows Ltd., and BeGreen Packaging LLC, a maker of bio-based molded fiber products.
The VeloSano event takes its name from the Latin words for “swift” and “cure.” Stewart Kohl had participated in a similar charity cycling event in the Boston area for several years before co-founding VeloSano in 2014. He placed third among last year's riders for individual fundraising, drawing more than $144,000 in sponsors.
Last year's event drew riders from 28 states and three countries. This year, riders can choose one of five routes ranging from 12 miles to 202 miles.
Cleveland-based Key Bank also is a VeloSano sponsor. Key's KeyBanc Capital Markets unit is a frequent participant in plastics M&A deals.