This weekend, Aug. 4 and 5, 34 Belmont residents will pedal their way into fundraising history as participants in the 33^rd annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the nation’s pioneer charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.

They will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $36 million to support adult and pediatric cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund.

The residents riding this weekend incude:

“The PMC is the gold standard of athletic fundraising events,” says Billy Starr, Pan-Massachusetts Challenge founder and executive director.

“PMCers are as committed to raising money for cancer research as they are to pedaling the miles. PMC cyclists are all heart and soul.”

The PMC is a fully supported bike-a-thon — with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation, and lodging — that 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.

There are six two-day routes that range from 153 to 190 miles and five one-day rides that range from 25 to 110 miles. In 2012, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,300 to ride in the PMC.

During PMC weekend, individual cyclists become part of one family of 5,500 cyclists, more than 3,000 volunteers, and thousands of spectators, is one reason cyclists from 36 states and eight countries return to Massachusetts each August to participate in the PMC.