Mark Hiemstra
- National: 33rd
- Province: 17th in ON
- My Team: 1st
I'm Riding For
Christine Hiemstra
Christine, my mom, was diagnosed with melanoma in 2015. Sadly she lost her battle on June 17, 2024. This year I will be not only cycling for all the kids and their parents, but also for Mom.
My Story
This August, I’m participating in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer.
Why? This cause is deeply personal to me.
More than 1,400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in Canada, and it remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children—something no family should have to face. While we lost our baby girl Evelyn to a different cause, I understand the fear and heartbreak of losing a child. My mom also passed away from melanoma on June 17, 2024.
This year, I ride in honour of these children, their families, Evelyn, and my mom. Kids should be living their lives—not fighting for them.
This is my sixth year in the challenge. Throughout August, I’ll be riding the Guelph-to-Goderich (G2G) Rail Trail. I invite you to join me! I’ll ride every Saturday and during the final week, completing 132 km rides, with a final 260 km end-to-end ride to finish.
I’m raising funds for SickKids Foundation to support better treatments and a cure.
Please consider donating. As a thank you, anyone who rides with me will receive a handmade wooden medallion.
We’ll also have prize draws in June–September, plus extra prizes on Kick Cancer’s Butt Day. A $25 donation earns one ballot. Prizes include a charcuterie board, 3D-printed games, a family pass to Clovermead Adventure Farm, and more.
Donors of $100+ are invited to an All-You-Can-Eat Rib & Chicken BBQ on September 19th.
Thank you for your support—your generosity makes a real difference.
Mark
My Legacy
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605 km Ridden$1,081 Raised2021
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728 km Ridden$1,540 Raised2022
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1,195 km Ridden$4,000 Raised2023
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1,536 km Ridden$6,548 Raised2024
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1,574 km Ridden$10,658 Raised2025
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502 km Ridden$9,869 Raised2026
My Challenge
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🎉 KICK CANCER’S BUTT DAY — WINNERS! 🎉
15 Aug 2026What an incredible day! A HUGE thank-you to everyone who donated, shared, cheered us on, and helped us fight kids’ cancer! ❤️🚴♂️
And now… the moment you’ve been waiting for! 🥁 Here are our 10 prize winners! 🎉
🏆 Congratulations to:
1️⃣ Timothy H. — Clovermead Adventure Farm Family Pass
2️⃣ Zachary H. — Live Edge Charcuterie Board
3️⃣ Steve C. — Magic Wand from White Owl Wands
4️⃣ Dave H. — 3D Printed Chess Board that turns into a book
5️⃣ Peter A. — 3D Printed Snakes & Ladders Game that turns into a book
6️⃣ Gizella G. — 3D Printed Crossword Game that turns into a book
7️⃣ Grant W. — Welcome Sign with 4 Exchangeable Icons
8️⃣ Susan C. — Laser Engraved Tumbler
9️⃣ John H. — Set of 4 Christmas Ornaments
🔟 Italo — Set of 4 Bike Coasters with Moving Parts
🎉 Congratulations to all our winners! 🎉
And to EVERYONE who donated — THANK YOU! Your generosity was incredible, and because of your support, we’re able to keep riding and fighting for kids with cancer. 💛
The challenge isn’t over yet… there are still plenty of kilometres to ride and money to raise! 🚴♂️💪
Together, we WILL Kick Cancer’s Butt! 💥🎗️
Posted 3 days ago -
103.8 km ride - Morning Ride - Saturday, August 15, 2026
Logged this ride 3 days ago - View on Strava -
Kick Cancer's Butt Day - Thank You
14 Aug 2026A HUGE THANK YOU ❤️🚴♂️
I want to take a moment to personally say THANK YOU to every one of my sponsors and supporters who have stood behind me and Jayden during this year’s Great Cycle Challenge.
I honestly can't put into words how much your generosity and encouragement mean to me. Together, we have raised an incredible $13,870 so far — $9,713 for my ride and $4,157 for Jayden’s! 🎉
And while those numbers are amazing, the challenge is not even halfway done yet! There are still plenty of kilometres to ride, more challenges ahead, and lots more work to do to help fight kids' cancer. 🚴♂️💪
A Few Very Special Thank Yous ❤️
Lockdoor Canada — Thank you for supplying me with a DJI Osmo 360 camera. It has allowed me to capture some incredible moments from this journey and share the experience with everyone who has supported us. I truly appreciate your generosity and support.
John H. — aka Dad — Thank you for helping me with the funds to get my bike repaired and back on the road. There have definitely been a few times when my bike has needed some extra love, and your support helped keep me rolling! 🚴♂️
Vicky — Thank you for opening your home to me in Goderich and giving me a place to stay so I could get a good night's rest before getting back on the bike. That kindness meant more than you know, especially when the kilometres were adding up!
And to everyone who has donated, sponsored us, shared our posts, joined us for a ride, cheered us on, or simply sent an encouraging message — THANK YOU! ❤️
Your support has carried me through the long rides, the early mornings, the sore legs, the mechanical problems, and even the rainy days. 😂 But most importantly, you've reminded me that I'm not doing this alone.
We still have a long way to go, and I'm excited to see just how far we can take this together. The bikes are ready, the legs are getting stronger, and the fight continues! 💪🚴♂️🎗️
And don't forget — the prize draw will be held this Saturday, August 15! 🎉
Good luck to everyone who entered, and thank you once again for being part of this journey.
Together, we're riding to Kick Cancer's Butt! 🎗️❤️
Mark & Jayden
Posted 4 days ago -
$5,000 raised to fight kids' cancer!
I just hit $5,000 to fight kids' cancer! Thank you so much for your support.
Posted 6 days ago -
Jayden's 2nd Ride - Aug 09
11 Aug 2026Our first trip down the G2G, and he smashed it. 17.2 km. Way to go Jayden. Of course we finished off with some ice cream.
Posted 7 days ago -
17.4 km ride - Afternoon Ride - Sunday, August 9, 2026
Logged this ride 9 days ago - View on Strava -
Group Ride - 100 km Donut Run - Aug 08
9 Aug 2026This was the second group ride for Aug. It was good meeting up with some friends, and meeting new ones at RIM Park, and also along the way. Thank you Maad, Michael, Dave & Chris.
Posted 9 days ago -
102.5 km ride - Morning Ride - Saturday, August 8, 2026
Logged this ride 10 days ago - View on Strava -
Jayden's First Ride
7 Aug 2026Jayden and I went out last Sunday and he crushed 10 km. So proud buddy. Keep up the excellent work
Posted 11 days ago -
August 10 Amazing Prizes
3 Aug 2026🎗️ Kick Cancer's Butt Day Prize Draw
Thank you for supporting Me & Jayden's Great Cycle Challenge as we ride to fight kids' cancer.
This month, we're doing something bigger!
Instead of an August Prize of the Month, we've saved all our prizes for Kick Cancer's Butt Day, creating our biggest giveaway of the year with 10 amazing prizes!
The official Kick Cancer's Butt Day date has not yet been announced by Great Cycle Challenge Canada. As soon as it's announced, we'll share the date and all the details.
Every $50 donation to Mark or Jayden on Kick Cancer's Butt Day earns one prize draw entry. Eligible donations will also be matched by the Garron Family through Great Cycle Challenge Canada's matching campaign.
Donate $100 or more and you'll also receive an invitation to our Donor Appreciation BBQ on Saturday, September 19, featuring all-you-can-eat ribs and chicken.
Thank you for helping us fight kids' cancer.
Together, we can make cancer history.
🎁 Featured Prize
-Clovermead Adventure Farm Family Pass
🎁 Prize Draw
- Light Saber Wand Gift Set
- Handmade Charcuterie Board
- Chess Book Game
- Crossword Book Game
- Snakes & Ladders Book Game
- Laser Engraved Tumbler
- Cycling Coffee Coaster Set
- Handmade Christmas Ornament Collection
- Welcome Porch Sign with Changeable Icons
📋 Official Prize Draw Rules
- Every $50 donation to Mark or Jayden on Kick Cancer's Butt Day earns one prize draw entry.
Cash donations are welcome.
- Every additional $50 earns another entry.
- Only donations made on the official Kick Cancer's Butt Day qualify.
- The official date will be announced by Great Cycle Challenge Canada.
- Eligible donations will be matched by the Garron Family through the official GCC matching campaign.
- 10 winners will be selected by random draw.
- Once a prize is selected, it is no longer available.
- Once a winner has claimed a prize, any remaining entries for that donor will be removed from the draw.
- Prizes must be picked up in the Waterloo Region. No shipping is available.
- Any donations of $100 or more receive an invitation to the Donor Appreciation BBQ on Saturday, September 19.
- Donations support SickKids Foundation through Great Cycle Challenge Canada and are eligible for an official tax receipt.
- Prizes have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Posted 15 days ago
My Sponsors
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Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation
“Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$2,530.53Received this donation 5 days ago
Mark
“Thank you so much Garron family for the amazing support over the years.”
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S.M. Clappison
“You're doing an excellent job, keep up the good work.”
$1,035Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Steve. Thank you so much for your generosity & support over the years. We are kicking cancers butt.”
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Bryant Harris
“Way to go, Mark”
$517.50Received this donation 71 days ago
Mark
“Bryant. Thank you for your ongoing support. Together we are making a difference in kids and their families lives.”
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Anonymous
$517.50Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Thank you so much.”
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Anonymous
$517.50Received this donation 14 days ago
Mark
“Thank you so much for the very generous donation. It's making a big difference in family lives.”
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Randy Henderson
“Happy to support you Mark and this great cause!”
$350Received this donation 26 days ago
Mark
“Wow Randy & Eileen. Thank you for helping me kick Cancer’s butt. Together we are changing lives.”
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Blacks Point Development
$258.75Received this donation 15 days ago
Mark
“Thank you so much for your support as together we kick cancer’s butt”
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David Hillis
$258.75Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Dave, thanks for your amazing support over the years. Thanks for joining on some of our rides too. It means a lot.”
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Donald Tuck
“I know you can do this! God bless you!”
$258.75Received this donation 47 days ago
Mark
“Wow! You guys are so amazing. Thanks for helping me kick cancers butt.”
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Joyce Hiemstra
$258.75Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Joyce you're amazing. Thank you so much for your support.”
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Marvin Rempel
$250Received this donation 15 days ago
Mark
“Marvin. Thank your on going support over all these years. Thankful you are our backup plan for double double day. Thank you again.”
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Anonymous
$207Received this donation 161 days ago
Mark
“Thank you so much for the support. Together we are changing little lives.”
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John Hiemstra
“Way to go Mark”
$200Received this donation 5 days ago
Mark
“Thanks dad for all your love and support over the years. It means the world to me.”
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John Driezen
“Keep on riding strong Mark!”
$155.25Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Thanks Johnny for helping kick Cancer’s Butt. Your support over the years means a lot.”
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8+ Inc.
$150Received this donation 5 days ago
Mark
“Thank you 8+ for the ongoing support”
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Tim RILEY
“I have known Mark for many years and I am proud and blessed to call him my friend/Brother ❤️👊!! I was greatly saddened by the loss of his daughter Evelyn....and I attended her celebration of life and how much she was cherished and loved. Mark is a great father and a family oriented man❤️👊 !! I am glad he is taking his pain, grief and loss and is using it to give him a constructive passion and a way to make a difference; :by raising funds through The Great Cycle Challenge for children's cancer research and treatment, in Evelyns memory. I was encouraged to hear his son Jayden will be joining him this year. It affected their whole family and they are doing something very constructive to help them work through their grief and loss, and keep Evelyns memory alive and honoured within their family ❤️🩹✝️. Please consider supporting Mark and Jayden in this very personal Great Cycle Challenge, helping then heal their grief and loss and making a positive difference, helping others”
$124.20Received this donation 71 days ago
Mark
“Thank you brother for the kind words. Thank you for helping me kick cancer's butt.”
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Bob Pauw
“Good luck! Hope it goes well, pedal hard!”
$103.50Received this donation 13 hours ago
Mark
“Bob. Thank you so much for your donation. It means so much to the kids and their families. We are kicking cancer's butt together.”
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Grant Watkinson
“Keep up the great work Mark! Grant and Nancy”
$103.50Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Thank you Grant & Nancy. Together we are fighting kids cancer”
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Juanita Ogilvie
“Oh my...your loss of Evelyn Hope will forever be remembered in my heart. I grieved with your family then and still have that lingering sadness of a beautiful life never lived outside the womb. She is missed. Your compassion is deep. Grief can make us bitter or compassionate. You chose compassion. Ride on!”
$103.50Received this donation 45 days ago
Mark
“Juanita. Thank you so much for all your support of the years. I’m blessed to have friends like you.”
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Lynn Lewis
$103.50Received this donation 6 days ago
Mark
“Thanks Lynn. Together we are making a difference, and giving families a fighting chance.”