Bikes and donuts join forces as Tour de Donut rolls through Troy this weekend

The events attracts cyclists from throughout the region and beyond.

The Tour de Donut will begin and end at the Troy Public Square on Aug. 25 with three distances of 16, 32 and 65 miles through the county. The races feature donut stops at which riders who eat donuts can receive time adjustments according to the number of donuts they consume.

Be the Match, which raises money to benefit blood-based cancers, is in its third year in Troy, with activities this year moved downtown and in conjunction with the Tour de Donut. A 5k run/walk will be held Aug. 25 simultaneous with the bicycle rides. Both activities begin at 8:30 a.m.

“It will be incredible to see the runners and cyclists going over the bridge together,” said Diana Thompson, executive director of the Miami County Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Last year, 2,300 riders participated.

“We have a lot of good volunteers helping us with road closure signs, set-up, etc. We are looking forward to a great couple of days,” Thompson said.

Tom Kendall of the Be the Match organizing committee said they are excited to be part of the activities.

“We think (the partnership) is going to take it to the next step this year,” Kendall said. “We still want to be our own entity, but felt this was a good opportunity for both of us. Instead of talking to 200 people we are talking to over 3,000 people.”

Be the Match also will be involved with activities planned downtown the evening of Aug. 24, setting the stage for the main events the following morning.

Beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 24, activities will include music, children’s events and food/drink. A donut eating contest is planned. The Donut Jam was organized by the Troy Main Street downtown organization.

For more information, visit thetourdedonut.com, bethematchfoundation.org/TheBuckeye and troymainstreet.org.