Thirteen years ago, then seven-year old, Ryan Wilkinson, of Medfield, started The Wildwood Challenge when he learned he was too young to ride the 190-mile Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC). He and 13 friends pedaled nearly 15 miles by riding around their neighborhood 25 times to raise money for the PMC.
The Wildwood Challenge became the PMC Medfield Kids Ride and is the founding ride of the PMC Kids Rides program, which today is made up of more than 35 fundraising bike-a-thons for children that are held around the country throughout the spring, summer and fall. Year after year, Wilkinson and his sister Hattie let the Wildwood Challenge through their neighborhood, attracting more kids and raising more money each time. Their success led the PMC Kids Ride to become an official program in 2004.
In 2008, Ryan and Hattie were featured in Better Homes and Gardens
In 2009, Wilkinson organized his last Wildwood Challenge, passing the baton onto two enthusiastic high school students and longtime event participants, Alex Freeman and Cal Given. After coordinating two exceptional events in 2010 and 2011, Freeman and Given must now pass the baton once again as they prepare for college.
