Two Mid-Missouri men have taken up a challenge to bike to the next three road University of Missouri Tiger football games as they raise money for the MU Women's and Children's Hospital in Columbia. They call it, "Pedaling for Mizzou Peds."
Alan Marrs, of Ashland, and Buck Brooks, of Holts Summit, are frequent bike riders along the Katy Trail. They are joined on the four-week journey by Bruce Bielby who is following them in a car on the 1,100-mile trip. All three men went to high school in Bethany in northern Missouri and have remained friends ever since.
"I always wanted to ride my bike to away games, and back in the spring, I decided I would," Marrs said as the trio took a break Monday afternoon in Belton, Illinois. "I looked at this year's schedule, and I saw this week (Oct. 19) was Vanderbilt in Nashville, then onto Lexington, for the Kentucky game on Oct. 26, followed by a bye week and finally in Athens for the Georgia game on Nov. 9. I told my wife this was a unique schedule that we probably wouldn't see in another 15-20 years, and I thought I could make all those games fairly easily. She told me I was insane."
The men left Saturday night from the Don Faurot Statue at Faurot Field and traveled to Jefferson City. They left Jefferson City on Sunday and made it to Chesterfield by Sunday night. By Monday night, they were in Nashville, Illinois.
"We need to average 83 miles a day during this first week to make it to Nashville by Friday," Marrs said. "Then, we'll have to do 40 miles a day to get to our destinations for the rest of the games on the trip. I hope it will be a piece of cake for us. The Nashville trip will be the toughest stretch."
Marrs said when they got in contact with the MU Athletic Department about their plans, they eventually were put in contact with MU Head Football Coach Barry Odom. Marrs said it was Odom who came up with the idea of the fundraiser for Women's and Children's Hospital.
"We're looking to raise $71,004; we came up with that number because that was the Faurot Field's seating capacity before the south endzone expansion took place," Marrs said. "We've had a lot of people take interest in what we're doing. One of the best reactions was when someone asked us if we wanted an extra piece of pie."
To donate to the cause, go to MUTigers.com/PedalForPeds
"The football program is a great way for us to remain connected, and we're glad we can help with a great cause," Marrs said.