Footy Community Prepares to Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s

July 4, 2025

SANFL and The Hospital Research Foundation Group are gearing up for this month’s Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s event to raise funds for research into finding a cure and treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

The 24-hour stationary cycling challenge returns for a third time to Adelaide Oval from 12pm Wednesday July 23 to 12pm Thursday July 24, rallying teams and communities together to ride, raise funds and fight for those living with Parkinson’s.

Inspired by Mark Mickan, AFL and SANFL legend and ambassador for The Hospital Research Foundation Group Parkinson’s, the event was first held in 2019 with the SANFL, Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority and past SA footy legends getting behind the event in support of Mark.

Mickan, an inaugural inductee in the South Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002, lives with Parkinson’s disease and is courageously raising awareness to improve the lives of others affected by the condition.

The event was put on hold during the Covid pandemic but returned bigger and better in 2024 as a Hospital Research Foundation initiative, with 13 teams raising more than $115,000 to fund research, care and support for people living with Parkinson’s.

SANFL CEO Darren Chandler said Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s was a fantastic opportunity for members of the footy and broader sporting community to stand with Mickan and ride in support of all those living with Parkinson’s.

“The football community is renowned for rallying to support one another and the Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s event is a tremendous example of this,” Mr Chandler said.

“Through our partnership with The Hospital Research Foundation Group we’re thrilled to be able to grow the event and our support for Mark and his goal to achieve life-changing research, treatment and care for all South Australians living with Parkinson’s.

“We would love nothing more than to see as many as 25 bikes on the go at Adelaide Oval with riders from all sporting communities joining us for a great cause, some camaraderie and a powerful show of support.”

The Hospital Research Foundation Group CEO Professor Paul Flynn said 100 per cent of the funds raised from the event would go towards the fight against Parkinson’s.

“We’re extremely proud to be teaming up with Mark and the SANFL once again for Pedal to Fight Parkinson’s. Mark is one of the great people of football in South Australia and it’s fantastic to see the football fraternity really embrace this event,” Prof Flynn said.

“It was truly humbling to see so many people from both the Parkinson’s and football communities taking part last year, with people even getting up at 2am for a turn on the bikes.

“As well as helping to fund life-changing research into Parkinson’s, the funds raised will help deliver our allied health services so we can keep providing vital support from the initial diagnosis and all throughout their journey.”

To register a team and get started with raising funds to help with the fight against Parkinson’s, go to https://www.pedaltofightparkinsons.com.au/

Team registrations close 5pm Monday July 14, with individual cyclers who would like to register to join a team able to do so up until Monday July 21.

PEDAL TO FIGHT PARKINSON’S EVENT DETAILS

• When: 12pm, Wednesday 23 July to 12pm, Thursday 24 July
• Location: Riverbank concourse, Adelaide Oval
• Form a team and register online https://www.pedaltofightparkinsons.com.au/
• Recruit Riders to cover the 24-hour ride in shifts (This could be 24 riders for 1-hour shifts, 12 riders for 2 hours shifts or whatever combination you would like, ensuring that the bike continues to pedal for 24 hours)
• Raise vital funds, with a team goal (in 2024 most teams raised over $5,000)