In 1981, it was renamed in honor of five-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer at the age of 23.

The event includes categories for all levels of racing and encourages riders of all abilities.

Between six hundred and a thousand riders compete each year in a number of categories.

The present men's record is held by Tom Danielson, set in 2004 with a time of 1:41:20.

[citation needed] Women competed in the race beginning in 1976.