Burlington, VT – The Kelly Brush Century Ride raised a record amount for spinal cord injury research and ski racing safety, and drew the largest turnout in the six-year history of the annual event when it was held last month in Middlebury, Vt.

The 100-mile bicycle ride held on Sept. 10, raised over $275,000 for spinal cord injury (SCI) prevention, adaptive sports and ski racing safety. A total of 721 riders participated in the scenic ride through the Champlain Valley.

“With blue skies and comfortable temperatures, we could not have ordered a better day for the Kelly Brush Ride,” said Charlie Brush, president of the Kelly Brush Foundation. “Thanks to the efforts of our many supporters, the foundation will be able to do more than ever to help people face the challenges of paralysis through the love of sport and improve ski racing safety.”

The largest fundraising ride in Vermont, the Kelly Brush Century Ride is also one of the best attended rides in the Northeast for handcyclists. This year 24 participants rode the course on handcycles.

The ride raises money to support the foundation’s multi-faceted mission including:  improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with SCI through adaptive sports equipment grants, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. For every $5,000 raised, the foundation donates adaptive sports equipment in the name of the team or individual who raised the money. Funds raised also support ski racing safety grants for clubs and racing organizations across the country for safety equipment such as netting to line race courses and protective gear for racers.

Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont.