More than 5,000 cyclist rode through Wareham and Onset during the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge on Saturday and Sunday with the goal of raising $34 million to support adult and pediatric cancer care and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

The Challenge runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. Cyclists choose from 11 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability.

Among the cyclists were Lance Armstrong and senators John Kerry and Scott Brown.

In Wareham, riders passed through Main Street, Sandwich Road, Narrows Road, Minot Avenue, and Onset Avenue to get to Cranberry Highway before making their way to Bourne and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The riders headed back at 5 a.m. on Sunday.

Paula Mueller, 51, of Wareham rode in the race for the first time on Sunday and said it wouldn't be her last.

"It went great" Mueller said  on Wednesday. "I was riding in the pouring rain, but it didn't matter... I am definitely doing it again."

Mueller said she rode in memory of her family members and loved ones who have passed away from cancer, and her mother who is currently battling the illness.

"It is important for me to ride for cancer," Mueller said. "It's a horrible disease that reaches everyone."

Mueller is a school nurse at Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville. She has been training since February for the 47-mile Wellesley to Wellesley loop on Sunday. On Saturday, she volunteered at a water stop at the high school.

Mueller's son Stephen, of Chestnut Hill, is rode in the full race. The two have raised more than $5,000 combined for the fundraiser.

Since 1980, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge has raised $303 million for cancer treatment and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Pan-Massachusetts Challenge funding is considered “seed money;” it allows researchers and doctors to finance innovative experiments and conduct initial trials to qualify for federal funding.