LEWISTON — Olympic medalists and American cycling legends Davis and Connie Phinney will participate in the third annual Dempsey Challenge presented by Amgen, a noncompetitive run, walk and cycling event benefiting The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center. The couple will join fellow Olympic medalist Levi Leipheimer for the Oct. 8 and 9 event.

Davis’ racing career began at age 16 and spanned two decades. He won an Olympic bronze medal in the 100K Team Time Trial in 1984 and is believed to have won the most races in American history. Phinney was the first American to win a Tour de France road stage and claimed the U.S. National Road Race Championship in 1991.

At age 40, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and established the Davis Phinney Foundation in his hometown, Boulder, Colo. His memoir, “The Happiness of Pursuit,” was published in June.

Connie, a Madison, Wisc. native, is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. She is a two-sport Olympian, excelling in both cycling and speed skating. She won a gold medal in the 1984 cycling road race and, at age 14, placed seventh in the 1,500 meter during the 1972 Winter Olympics. She won four World Cycling Championship medals and 12 U.S. national championships.

The Phinneys, who will celebrate their wedding anniversary during Dempsey Challenge weekend, have two children, Taylor and Kelsey. Taylor, 21, is a five-time World Champion, former U.S. Pro Time Trial Champion and currently racing professionally with the BMC Racing Team.

The Dempsey Challenge offers an L.L. Bean 5K and 10K run/walk on Oct. 8 and cycling routes of 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100 miles on Oct. 9. All events will begin and end at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The weekend will include a free family-friendly Festival in the Park which plays host to the Concentra Health and Wellness Expo, Positive Tracks KidZone, vendor fair and live entertainment. Runners and walkers will enjoy the Hannaford 5 & 10K Cafe on Oct. 8 while cyclists are invited to take part in a participant lobster bake the following day. The Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Walk will highlight the weekend.

For more information log on to www.dempseychallenge.org.