BEAVERTON, Ore. - Saying it was too cold and wet over part of the course Sunday, organizers of the annual Livestrong Challenge canceled the longest event - the 100-mile bike ride.

But the rainy weather did not stop more than 3,100 riders and runners from taking shorter routes while raising nearly $2 million for cancer research.

Jimmy Fowkes, a 15-year-old cancer survivor, was among those participating in the event.

"It's not just about the ride but more the money you raised," he said. "That's the important part."

Fowkes and his 10-year-old sister, Molly, raised more than $31,000. The money goes to the foundation of cycling legend and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The organization is devoted to cancer research.

"This is a war. Cancer is a war," said Armstrong, who did a 25-mile ride at the event and then ran 5 kilometers with distance running legend Alberto Salazar. "We lose 550,000 Americans a year to cancer. That cannot stay the same the rest of our lifetime. We have to change that."

Many of the participants have friends or family who have fought on the front lines in that war. That includes Mike Wood, who just won a major battle against the disease when doctors at Oregon Health and Science University removed cancerous tumors threatening his lymph nodes 11 days ago.

"It's amazing. I didn't know about the event until we came here to Portland for this surgery, and I wanted to be a part of it," Wood said.

Mikayla Stenersen, 8, won her battle with cancer four years ago. She joined the Livestrong riders by pedi-cab with her brother and sister. Her parents could not be prouder.

"We are celebrating life and health and healing and just being healthy, so we're just honored to be here and we're so excited," said her mother, Kathy Stenersen.