This devoted alumna always takes Pelotonia—by foot

When Dr. Mary Dillhoff ’09 MS participates in Pelotonia, she uses two sneakers instead of two wheels. One of the more inspirational members of the Pelotonia community, Dillhoff runs more than 70 miles during the annual cycling event every year, always ending at the finish line in Gambier, Ohio. “The riders always ask me, ‘Where’s your bike?’”

Despite her running preference, Dillhoff and her husband, Chris, rode together in Pelotonia’s early years (he still does). “What I really love is running,” says Dillhoff, who has completed 30-plus marathons. So, in 2017, she began running 30 to 40 miles during Pelotonia.

After her father was diagnosed with lung cancer, Dillhoff, a James Cancer Hospital surgical oncologist and the director of the hospital’s Pancreatic Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic, decided to run his age, 71. “What’s important about Pelotonia is you’re giving a physical effort; it’s nothing like what your patients go through, but it’s important,” Dillhoff says.

In 2023, training partners Michael Patton ’04 and Wendy Ford joined Dillhoff on a 73-mile run (her father’s age that year). They ran primarily on bike paths paralleling the Pelotonia course. “Mary is always chatting and that helps the time go by faster,” Patton says.

The trio ran in honor of Ford’s father, who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and their friend Paul Stoodley, who was battling lung cancer. Stoodley, a professor in the College of Medicine, and Dillhoff’s father both had metastatic lung cancer and benefited greatly from Pelotonia-supported research. (Stoodley died in 2024.)

When Patton wasn’t able to participate in the 2024 Pelotonia, he and Dillhoff entered an October 100-mile ultrarunning race in Northeast Ohio. Dillhoff planned to cover 75 miles—in honor of Patton’s father, who had recently died at 75 from cancer—but ended up finishing (and coming in third overall).

For Pelotonia 2025, Dillhoff and Patton expect to run 75 miles. Then again: “I have a feeling Mike will talk me into running 100,” Dillhoff says.

More ways to participate

Volunteer

Dr. Kendra McCamey ’95, an Ohio State sports medicine physician, volunteers all year and every Ride Weekend and rides on Saturday. “Pelotonia is so full of hope and volunteering is a way to give back,” McCamey says.

Gravel Ride

A gravel ride was added in 2023 in addition to the road cycling event. “Gravel riding has become really popular and is another way for people to participate,” says Pelotonia CEO Joe Apgar. This year’s Gravel Ride is Oct. 4.

Run

A new trail run or hike (5k loop) is also scheduled on Oct. 4 this year. “We heard more times than I can count from our community the demand for a run,” Apgar says.

Challengers

Challengers pledge to push themselves to accomplish a physical or creative task and raise a minimum of $100.