Editor’s note: This is another in a series of stories leading up to the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure in Suffolk on April 20.

A new event added this year to the pre-Tour de Cure celebrations will be a Champion Reception for riders who raise more than $1,000 to fight diabetes.

Set for the night before the Tour, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on East Constance Road, the reception will be among a slate of new perks for champion fundraisers, which also will include personalized VIP parking the day of the event.

“We want to do something for the riders that go the extra mile, so to speak,” said Amie Holman, Hampton Roads Tour de Cure coordinator. “We want to honor them with our Champions Reception.”

Holman said the idea initially started as a superhero joke.

“I made a joke that becoming a champion in the fight against diabetes should come with a red cape, but riding with a cape would be difficult,” Holman said.

The Tour de Cure will take place April 20, beginning at King’s Fork High School. Riders choose routes of 10, 30, 65 or 100 miles to cycle. They must raise a minimum of $175, as well as a $25 registration fee, to ride, but those who raise more are eligible for perks like the Champions Reception.

“It gives them a chance to come together and learn more about each other while at the same time we’re honoring them for their efforts and what they do for the event,” Holman said.

Each rider who tops $1,000 will be able to attend the reception free and bring one guest. They also can pick up their rider packets at the reception.

Riders will receive an email about their fundraising status, Holman said. Those who hope to go to the reception and get the other perks should raise the last few dollars quickly, as there is a deadline to have parking passes and other materials printed. However, those who break $1,000 at the last minute can still participate.

“Riders that raise $1,000 or more are an important component of Tour de Cure,” Holman said.

It’s also not too late to sign up to ride, as long as you can raise the minimum $175. To sign up or for more information about the Tour de Cure, visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour.