Submitted photo Justin and Jonah Vorbach plan to bicycle 250 miles in 10 days to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research. Their ride is taking place in honor of Justin’s father, Joseph Vorbach, in the photo at right, who is in advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease

MARSHALL — Justin and Jonah Vorbach decided to go the extra mile in the goal to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

The father and son duo plan to complete 25-mile bike rides on 10 successive days. They start today and will end their series of rides on July 10.

They chose a variety of locations. After several days in the Marshall area, they’ll travel to the Glacial Lakes trail near New London and the Lake Wobegon Trail in St. Cloud. The final segments will take place on trails in the Twin Cities.

The event was organized in recognition of Justin’s father, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph Vorbach. Joseph faces Parkinson’s disease at age 84. He lives in Richmond, Virginia, and receives 24-hour nursing care.

“We wanted to do something that could help people like my father,” Justin said. “A bike ride was a way to raise funds for research. We also did it as something Jonah and I could enjoy together as a father and son.”

As of this week, they’d raised $2,475 in pledges through an online donation drive. The pledges have come from family members, friends, and friends of Justin’s sisters.

Joseph has four children and nine grandchildren. Justin is the youngest of the four and Jonah is the youngest grandchild.

Each ride will take approximately two hours. For part of the schedule, they’ll spend evenings staying with Justin’s mother-in-law in the metro area.

Jonah said he wanted to do something that could generate some added money for one of the world’s most challenging diseases, one that affects people who are in late middle age or who are elderly.

Parkinson’s disease can be treated with medications, but they mainly alleviate symptoms instead of delaying the progress of the disease. Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s pass away about seven years after their disease is recognized.

“I wanted to do more bike riding this year,” Jonah said. “I’ve enjoyed preparing for the 10 days. Hopefully we’ll make a difference in the search for a cure. If they have more money, the cure might happen in less time.”

Justin has taken part in other bike riding events, including the statewide Habitat 500 in 2017. The money has raised through Habitat 500 went toward the Marshall area’s Habitat for Humanity chapter.

“We hope other people do things to support Parkinson’s research,” Justin said. “Millions of people throughout the world are affected by it. They’re doing valuable research to find a cure, but it takes time and money.”