LEWISTON — Before the first participants walked, ran or cycled at this weekend’s Dempsey Challenge, the annual event had already raised more than $1 million, organizers said Friday.

“This is the second year that we have actually raised $1 million before the weekend had even started,” event manager Aimee Arsenault said. “That’s really, really encouraging.”

By Sunday night, that number is expected to rise by another $100,000 to $200,000, rivaling last year’s best-ever take of $1.2 million.

In its five years, the event has raised $5 million to help fund the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.

Arsenault announced the accomplishment at a morning news conference attended by five world-class cyclists: Freddie Rodriguez, Alison Tetrick, Carmen Small and married couple Brent and Jamie Bookwalter. They were accompanied by Sean Petty, chief of domestic and international affairs for USA Cycling.

All said they were happy to accept an invitation to ride in the Challenge.

“I think that, in general, cyclists are quite selfish. We are,” said Small, a championship cyclist based in Durango, Colo. “It’s all about us all year long. So, when we get invited to an event like this, it’s special because we can finally give back and not be selfish and support other people.”

She added, “We have so much support all year long. That’s why we’re so successful.”

Actor Patrick Dempsey, the Challenge’s founder, was unable to attend the news conference due to flight schedules and a late night Thursday on the set of TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” said his sister, Mary Dempsey.

Dempsey was born in Lewiston and raised in Buckfield and Turner. He was scheduled to arrive in Lewiston on Friday afternoon and will make appearances at the Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. He is slated to ride the 50-mile portion of the bicycle route.

Dempsey won’t be alone.

As of Wednesday, the challenge had 3,614 participants from 35 states and 12 countries. The top individual fundraiser was Katy Romano of Atlanta, Ga., who raised $22,880.

“She has smashed the previous record of the top fundraising in any given year of $13,000, set last year,” Arsenault said.

The Dempsey Challenge is the primary fundraiser for the Dempsey Center. Corporate sponsors, in-kind donations and some registration fees cover the event costs. Remaining fees and all money raised by participants directly benefit the center.

The sixth annual challenge is scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5, 2014.

dhartill@sunjournal.com

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