I’ve harped on enough about how important I feel the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is. For anyone who doesn’t know, the DGR is a worldwide charity ride that raises funds and awareness to support men’s mental health and prostate cancer research.
I went on about it so much that I felt I should do something for it myself, particularly as someone who’s been affected by the issues that it raises money and awareness for. So, this year, I feel particularly happy to report on the charity’s success this year after smashing my fundraising goal with the help of friends, family, and even some strangers. But it’s the sheer volume of people around the world that get involved in this event that makes it so successful.
Here are some stats. In 2025, a total of 127,504 riders took part in the DGR. Also, there were 1,038 rides that took place in 108 countries.
Let those numbers sink in for a second, because they’re a damn sight more than than they were when the charity first started in 2012. Most riders aren’t raising insane amounts; for example, I was one of the top fundraisers in the Mexico City ride, and I raised just a shade over $1,100.
But, as you can see, the DGR’s power is in its rider numbers.
This year, the DGR raised $7.3 million, bringing the total amount the charity has raised since its inception 13 years ago to $60.31 million.
“Every year, our community unites to raise critical funds and awareness [for] prostate cancer and men’s mental health,” says Mark Hawwa, founder of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. “To see over 125,000 riders take to the streets in more than 1,000 cities around the world is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s inspiring to witness how far we’ve come — and it’s all thanks to the dedication of our riders, hosts, and supporters who continue to make this movement matter.”
If you get the chance next year, please take part. The power of the DGR lies in its numbers, and becoming one of those numbers feels like something to be proud of.
I only wish I had done it sooner.
