For the past few weeks, Glynn Hawley has been in “crunch time” for the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), working with coordinators to make sure everything is good to go for the first weekend in August. 

Glynn Hawley of Natick helps oversee the annual Pan-Mass Challenge. Courtesy photo

That includes assembling and delivering 9,500 registration kits for riders and volunteers, traffic safety, sag wagons, even the ice couches at Wellfleet for riders and their tender tushies.

“It’s always a relief when everything goes well and it’s all done,” said Hawley, who has been the PMC’s director of operations for the past five years.

A Natick resident since 1992, Hawley first connected with the PMC as a rider from 1997 to 2003. He joined the organization full time in 2004. 

His wife Virginia, an oncologist, will be taking part in the PMC for the 32nd year as a rider.

In his current role as director of operations, Hawley oversees the planning and execution of nearly every operational element riders experience on PMC Weekend, including logistics, transportation, equipment, and all food and beverage services.

Despite a very hectic schedule, Hawley said he loves working with the organization. “It feels good to be part of such an organization,” he said. “I enjoy working with all the people. It’s a pretty unique position, and I rely on the good work of volunteers.”

He added that he also feels good when he tells riders that 100 percent of the money they raise goes to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Before joining the PMC staff, he worked as an operations manager at a local telecommunications company, as an outdoor guide and cross-country ski instructor, and as a security police officer in the U.S. Air Force. He is a graduate of Boston College.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is fully supported bike-a-thon, held annually on the first weekend in August, that draws thousands of riders from across the country.

This year, the PMC has a number of different route combinations from 25 to 177 miles for riders to choose from.

Participants can also take part in a “reimagined ride,” where they ride wherever, whenever and however far they so choose.

Volunteers help out on both days in a variety of roles, from parking and food to registration and massage therapy.

Want to see the riders? While none of the rides go through Natick, the routes that start in Wellesley will go down Main Street in Dover en route to Medfield.

Since the first ride in 1980, the PMC has raised more than $1.125 billion for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Donations may support a rider or a team, or may be given directly to the PMC. For information on the event, including how to donate or to volunteer, visit www.pmc.org.