Most participants and supporters of the Pan-Mass Challenge are no strangers to adversity.

Thousands of riders and a large group of spectators braved less than ideal conditions Saturday morning as the Pan-Mass challenge passed through Wareham.

"A little rain won't stop us!" said Anne O'Connell-Bishop, who supported riders at the "cheering station" set up on Minot Ave. Riders departed from one of either Sturbridge or Wellesley Saturday morning.

Geoff Worrell, who organized the station with his wife Cindy, a two-time cancer survivor, agreed.

"We want to support all the riders who are trying to make a difference in the fight against cancer," said Worrell.

"Anyone can come out on a nice sunny day, but for 5,800 people who come out and ride in the rain, the least we can do is put on a raincoat and support them," he added.

The Challenge was started in 1980 in an effort to raise money to support cancer research through the Jimmy Fund for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Since then it has raised over $400,000,000. Riders must raise a minimum of $500 to participate, with most going beyond that mark and many exceeding it significantly. Riders passed through Wareham via Rochester, and  finished the day's leg at Mass Maritime Academy before continuing to Provincetown the following morning.

Participants often have a personal story that drives them to participate in the often difficult journey.

"I'm doing it for my dad," said Dan Smith of Framingham. "My first year I did it for him and he passed away three weeks later. It's my third year now, riding in his memory."

Smith is not the only rider who has made the the Pan-Mass Challenge a yearly commitment.

"It's my 20th year," said Smith's friend Matt Deluca, who rode for Team Leslie in the Challenge. "I started 20 years ago to do it for a friend, Leslie Semonian. She got me into it and I got hooked."

Matt's sister Cindy, who is currently battling cancer, was at the cheering station to support her team of doctors. Her doctor and nurse practitioner both participated in the ride.

"I'm here to give back," said Cindy. "The people at Dana Farber are so good, it's like a family. No matter the weather or whatever, I just wanted to give back."

"It's a touching mood, hand to hand and heart to heart," said Cindy Worrell of interacting with passing riders.

"You feel it through straight to the heart," she said.