So Cal Ride/Walk for Parkinson's

About the Event

The SoCal Ride for Parkinson's is a high-profile, multi-discipline fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Southern California. Recognized as a "Team Fox MVP" for eight consecutive years, this event is a premier contributor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Participants can choose to ride, walk, or run to help reach the 2026 fundraising goal of $450,000. The event is hosted by Hoag Hospital and the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, ensuring a strong connection between athletic participation and medical advancement. Notably, 100% of all funds raised are directed toward finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.

Category	Event Format	Incentives	Beneficiary
Ride / Walk / Run	Multi-distance / All ages	In-N-Out Burgers (Qualifiers)	Michael J. Fox Foundation
Volunteer Teams	Event Support	Community Service	Michael J. Fox Foundation

Event Logistics and Participation

This "family affair" welcomes grandparents, children, and even pets to join in raising awareness during Parkinson's Awareness Month. For participants who meet the minimum fundraising requirements, MWS Executive Coaching provides In-N-Out Burgers as a post-event reward. The atmosphere is further enhanced by live performances from the Orange County Tremble Clefs, one of the region's two Parkinson's singing groups. Beyond the local festivities, the event maintains a technical partnership with the Dauer Laboratory of Movement Disorders at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, highlighting the global scientific impact of the community's local efforts. Bob Lear serves as the primary contact for those interested in sponsorship or registration.

Regional and Community Context

Southern California, specifically the Orange County region (including Newport Beach and Irvine where Hoag Hospital is centered), is a wealthy and health-conscious coastal area with a 2026 population of approximately 3.1 million residents. The region is a global leader in biomedical research and medical device manufacturing. The local economy is exceptionally robust, with a median household income in these specific coastal hubs often exceeding $127,000. This affluent environment supports a strong culture of high-impact philanthropy, allowing the SoCal Ride to consistently rank as one of the top fundraising events for Team Fox in the United States.

The median age in Orange County is 38.5 years, but the region is also home to a significant and active retired population that drives the success of health-related advocacy groups. The geography is characterized by pristine coastline and expansive parklands, providing ideal conditions for large-scale cycling and walking events. The community identity is defined by a blend of outdoor lifestyle and a commitment to scientific progress, making the partnership between the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and local residents a natural fit. This event acts as a vital social bridge, connecting the academic excellence of regional medical centers with the lived experience of families affected by Parkinson's throughout the SoCal area.

Races Offered

Metric Century

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 99.8K

terrain

Type — Cycling

timer

07:00

sell

$78.07

32 mile Ride

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 51.5K

terrain

Type — Cycling

timer

08:00

sell

$78.07

8 Mile

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12.9K

terrain

Type — Cycling

timer

08:30

sell

$78.07

3K walk/rum

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3K

terrain

Type — Cycling

timer

08:45

sell

$52.25

5K walk/rum

Apr 25, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Cycling

timer

08:45

sell

$52.25

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for April in Irvine.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 10.7° / 21.5°

wb_sunny 9.3° / 18.9°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 7.6 /

water_drop 68.9%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 10.7° / 21.5°

wb_sunny 9.3° / 18.9°

air 7.6 km/h

water_drop 68.9%

About Irvine

Learn more about the host city, Irvine.

Irvine is a city of 308,000 people (2020) in Orange County, California. Irvine is one of the newest and largest cities in Orange County, and it is still growing. The city is a perfectly planned suburbia. The Irvine Company started developing the area in the 1960s and the city was formally incorporated on December 28, 1971.