Audi Best Buddies Challenge: Ride 100 Miles Then Catch A Pass From Tom Brady

Written by: T.J. Murphy

Fundraising cyclists are treated to great weather and a star-studded clambake at the 2009 Audi Best Buddies Challenge.

The 2009 Audi Best Buddies Challenge in Hyannis Port, Mass., took place Saturday, May 30 as cyclists enjoyed the early summer climate during their 100-mile tour from Boston to Cape Cod, in an effort to help raise more than $3 million for Best Buddies. Best Buddies, founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling those with intellectual disabilities through job placement and friendship building.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady again served as the honorary chairman of the day’s festivities, which included a 5k run, a 20-mile ride, the signature Best Buddy bike races and a clambake at Craigsville Beach. To the delight of the partygoers, those willing to pony up $1000 donations got their shot at catching (and keeping) an autographed football fired from across the big tent where the clambake was held. The aerial fireworks display was quite a show: Brady launched everything from high-arcing bombs to short-distance lobs.

According to Shriver, with Audi picking up the bill all the money raised by participants goes directly to Best Buddy programs. In remarks delivered at an opening ceremonies cocktail party Friday evening, the president of Audi USA, Johan de Nysschen, said Audi’s support for the Best Buddies reflects part of the company’s social responsibility mandate, a mandate that includes a commitment to the green benefits of the newest in clean diesel technology and their TDI engine.

The next Audi Best Buddy Challenge will be in California at Hearst Castle, with the century ride starting in Carmel to finishing in San Simeon. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org.