Starting from MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, the 24th annual event included a 1-mile run/walk, 5K run/walk, 6.5-mile bike tour, and 18.5-mile bike race.

Participants ranged in age from 5 to 84, and many family members and friends came to cheer their athletes on.

Dr. Bob Currier, owner of Northern Eye in Alpena, was this year’s honorary race chair.

During the awards ceremony, MyMichigan Health Foundation Development Director Ann Diamond announced that over $584,000 has been raised since the inception of the race, and all funds stay local, benefitting the Peter Aliferis Scholarship Fund, the Alpena Cancer Center, and patient enhancement projects and new technology at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Morgan Schultz, Harper Suszek, Odessa Morrison, and Sarah Morrison stretch after completing the Aliferis Memorial 5K on Saturday morning.

The Aliferis Memorial Race is named in memory of long-time Alpena Pathologist Peter Aliferis, M.D., who earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan and joined the hospital in 1963, serving for many years as the pathologies and laboratory director.

“He touched the lives of many in our community during his 37-year tenure,” a statement on the MyMichigan race website noted. “This race is a celebration of his steadfast dedication to health and wellness.”

The event was sponsored by the Development Council of the MyMichigan Health Foundation serving Alpena.

Full race results will appear this week in The Alpena News.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley The family came out to support "Papa" on Saturday morning for the Aliferis Memorial Bike Race. Rick Rouleau (Papa, on bike) completed the 18.5-mile race in one hour, five minutes, and 20 seconds. His wife, daughter, brother-in-law, two siblings, and grandson came to cheer him on. Pictured, from left, are Heather Deibler, Adam Deibler, AJ Deibler, Tina Rouleau, Rick Rouleau, Lisa Miller, and Todd Rouleau.