More than 50 cyclists used pedal power to propel themselves through Macclesfield and the Peak District as part of a marathon fundraiser for The Christie.

Riders pushed themselves through the pain barrier for the 50km challenge as they raised more than £7,000 for the 505050 Challenge, which has now smashed its 2012 target of raising £50,000 for the cancer centre in Manchester. 

Cyclists started and finished the challenge at Tegg’s Nose on Sunday, April 28, after climbing 4,500ft up and down the Peak District – the equivalent of riding up Mount Snowdon twice. Organisers of the 505050 campaign have so far raised almost £75,000 for The Christie, which is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres.

Simon Hayward, one of the founders of the 505050 Challenge for The Christie, said: “Every single event we have held as part of 505050 has been a genuine challenge for those taking part and this was no different.

“This marathon cycle ride through Langley, past Macclesfield Forest and out to Wincle pushed some cyclists further than they’d been before.

“That has always been part of the concept of 505050 – encouraging people to raise money by setting them a real challenge.”

Mr Hayward, who is chief executive of the Wilmslow-based leadership consultancy Cirrus, added: “I couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who pushed themselves through the pain barrier to support the great work of The Christie.

“We’d also like to thank Morrisons supermarket for donating food and drink to keep our cyclists going.

“We are also grateful to the many people who helped to organise the event and supported it by marshalling, repairing bikes, looking after our cyclists and cheering them on.”