By Steve Tawa

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The 25th running of the Tour de Shore is coming up in late July, to benefit area children’s charities.

Inside the Irish Pub near 20th and Walnut Streets, co-owner Mark O’Connor remembers organizing the first one years ago:

“We started this in 1987 as a way to try to connect the Irish Pub in Atlantic City with the two Irish pubs in Philadelphia.”

So, it became a 65-mile bicycle ride:

“All of our money stays local. In the first 24-years, we’ve raised in excess of $2.2 million.”

Last year 1,500 riders raised more than $400,000 for 15-local charities, including $50,000 for the Philadelphia Police Athletic League. Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan is a board member of the Irish Pub Children’s Foundation:

“The Police Athletic League here in Philadelphia, and their 26 PAL centers provide an opportunity and a safe environment for children who otherwise would not have it.”

The goal is to raise $500,000 for the Tour de Shore on Sunday, July 29th.