Ultra-distance charity bicyclist stops at Spartan Stadium

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan State University graduate who’s 1,500 miles into a 6,500 bicycle trek to raise funds in memory of a friend is planning a stop at Spartan Stadium.

The Flint Journal (http://bit.ly/1KGkZk8 ) says that Derek Blalock started the 23-state ride May 16 in Charleston, South Carolina. It says the Flushing High School graduate trained for months.

The newspaper says Blalock plans to stop at the football stadium in East Lansing on Monday.

Blalock says the ride is a fundraiser for the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation. Mary and Jonathan Smith of Flushing created the fund in honor of their 17-year-old son who died of sudden cardiac arrest in 2011.

Blalock says the noon event will include a balloon launch and boxed lunches for contributors.

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Online:

Foundation: http://www.tommysheart.org

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Information from: The Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/flint