Pacific to Atlantic: Columbus' Tanny Crane rides to raise money for cancer research

It took 3,400 miles, 49 days and countless donations for Tanny Crane to dip her back bicycle tire in the Pacific Ocean in Manhattan Beach, California, to then dip her front tire in the Atlantic Ocean at Revere Beach in Massachusetts.

Crane, the president and CEO of Crane Group and 16-year Pelotonia rider, set out for a monumental undertaking May 5, and it all started with a promise. A dear friend of Crane's biked around the country in 2011, and having interest in it, Crane made the promise she would one day do the same.

"Unfortunately, he was killed in a bike accident," Crane said, "and I have had this feeling that I have to fulfill that promise to him."

Crane is on this journey with 25 others, two of whom hail from Columbus like her, and one who had to drop out.

"I have developed lifelong friendships now with these people," said Crane.

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Crane and her fellow riders said they see the prevalence of cancer, and that motivates them to keep on raising money.

"I know that there are people that are really suffering. I have a dear friend who's in stage four breast cancer. She had 12 weeks of chemo and now she's about to undergo surgery and I ride for her because I can. And so that fuels me."

It's not just fueling her and other Pelotonia riders, but inspiring everyone around them. The team has received well over their intended donation goal, and the number just keeps racing upward. Initially, Crane wanted to raise $100k, but the donation results were so outstanding that she had to set a new goal.

"Within the first two weeks of my ride, I raised it, which was shocking," said Crane. "It's incredible. And (as of) about a week ago, I'm over $150,000. So now I've set my goal of $200,000."