INDIANAPOLIS — Saturday afternoon, 722 motorcyclists suited up at Bloomington’s Harley-Davidson/Buell dealership for the 16th annual Miracle Ride.
The weekend event raises money for Riley Hospital for Children. Last year, more than 7,000 motorcyclists from across the state participated in the event and raised $365,000 for the hospital. Since its inception, the Miracle Ride has raised $2.35 million.
Bloomington riders, alone, raised $75,000 this year, said Jason Mueller with Riley Children’s Foundation.
Unofficial tallies Saturday night showed 2,783 riders statewide participated in the day’s poker runs, raising $204,194.
Bloomington was one of six starting points throughout Indiana for Saturday’s poker runs, which have required stops and all end at the Clarion Hotel in Indianapolis. Along the way, riders pick up playing cards, and the winner is the person with the best five-card hand at the end of the ride.
The event kicked off Friday in Indianapolis with a golf outing, and ended Sunday with the Big Ride. Riders started at Lucas Oil Stadium, travel past Riley Hospital to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and end at the Clarion Hotel.
A special passenger in today’s ride is Morgan Dale, 12, of Linton. She is this year’s honorary Riley patient. Morgan has received two heart transplants and continues to receive care at Riley.
The Linton girl has her own fundraising page on the Internet for the Miracle Ride. As of Saturday, she has raised more than $1,500 toward her goal of $2,500. Go to www.firstgiving.com/morgandale to contribute.
Riley patients lined the sidewalks to wave and cheer on Morgan and the other Big Ride participants, who will stretch about 30 miles long and take an hour and a half to pass the hospital, Mueller said.
More than 7,000 motorcyclists were expected to take part.
Learn more at www.miracleride.net.
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Linton girl is honorary Miracle Ride patient
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