City: Hopkins, MN

Profession: Coach/Owner - CrossFit Hopkins/Fit 4 Recovery

Fundraising Goal: $1,000

Race: Marathon

Race Goal: Race Jake & Jack - Adaptive Trike w/ Jordan - Sub 2:15

In a few sentences, describe your connection to U2FP, why you chose to ride in support of U2FP, and whether you have a personal connection to spinal cord injury and paralysis:

I want to see my friends with SCI have more function restored. In short, U2FP is the crew that will advocate, put the right minds together, and move that dial forward in ways I could only dream of. The work they do is incredibly important, and I have faith in their leadership to carry the load.

I will be racing in an adaptive tandem trike with a good friend, Jordan. Jordan and I will be racing Jake & Jack, a couple of savvy marathon vets. Jake designed this tandem trike while studying mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin, and now we’re racing two trikes! Both Jake and Jordan have cervical level spinal cord injuries. These guys are going to crush the marathon and I can’t wait to be a part of it!

Is this your first marathon/race? If not, what others have you completed? Ran Chicago in 2018 for U2FP, First in the adaptive trike!

What do you crave after a long race? Steak and potatoes, and bread, maybe a beer, maybe some ice cream, possibly some pizza… I could go on.

Do you listen to anything when you train or race? If yes, what? For 2023, when it’s time to dig, I’m going “My Demons” by Starset and “Hungry” by Rob Bailey and the Hustle Standard.

What are you most excited and/or nervous about for the marathon? We had A LOT of hurdles to overcome just to be able to attempt this thing. I am excited that we have the opportunity to race!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Hanging with Christy Nix and Henry William (our dog), renovating our house, campfires, reading, and listening to music.

Anything else you’d like to share? I’m so proud of our CrossFit Hopkins and F4R crew. We have multiple people running the marathon - some true warriors out there training and raising funds for U2FP! I can’t wait to watch everyone attack this thing. Thank you for supporting our gym team and U2FP!