Poland native Marino finishes nationwide ride

June 28, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

Former Poland resident Jessica Marino enjoys a challenge.

She also loves aiding in fundraising efforts while furthering awareness for a cause about which she is most passionate.

The 2000 Poland High School graduate has run 10 marathons, competed in five Ironman competitions and for the second time in three years, qualified for the World Ironman Championships, to be held in Kona, Hawaii in October.

Marino conservatively estimates that she has pedaled thousands of bicycle miles in order to get ready for an event, yet confirms that nothing prepared her for taking part in her first ever “Race Across America” — a grueling, six-day competition that began June 20 in Oceanside, Calif., and ended Saturday morning in Annapolis, Md.

The event covered 3,000 miles and 170,000 feet of vertical climbing, culminating in her team, “Team Intrepid Fallen Heroes” winning the four-person mixed team championship for their age group.

In the process they raised approximately $642,000 for their charity. It’s the second consecutive year that a like amount will be donated to support America’s wounded military heroes.

“What we saw and what we did was like a lifetime rolled into one week. I did a 10-hour shift the first day in the middle of the desert with 116-degree heat,” she said. “It was a very emotional week as I haven’t quite experienced such an epic journey. Every day and every shift was a new experience.”

Marino was also on and off her bicycle for the final 27 hours of the competition, adding that it was “arguably the most grueling and exciting, yet satisfying event” of her post-college competitive career.

RAA is an event that is 30 percent longer than the Tour de France but must be completed in roughly half the time allowed for the Tour. It was a challenge she said she could not pass up.

“Race Across America is one of the most respected and longest running endurance sports events in the world. It is seen as the pinnacle of athletic achievement, not only in cycling circles but in the greater sports community as well,” Marino said. “There is no race that matches the distance, terrain and weather and no other event that tests a team’s spirit from beginning to end.”

An equity sales trader for Instimet, L.L.C. in New York City, Marino’s teammates included friends Winston Fisher, Evan Marks and Brian Collins with Jimmy Riccitello, technical director for Ironman, serving as team manager.

“Every one of us did this race in order to draw attention to a cause much larger than our four-man team. We wanted to raise money and awareness in honor of the military men and women who fight to protect the very land we covered,” Marino said. “Last year, Team IFHF was able to raise over $650,000 with this race and that money went directly to help fund the next building phase of the satellite facilities that are being constructed to hold, diagnose, and treat the hundreds of thousands of military personnel that may suffer from some level of traumatic brain injury or psychological health condition. Every single penny raised this year will be turned over to them as well.”

The race alternates riding one person on a bike at all times, 24/7 until they reach their Annapolis destination.

“We worked in two groups of two riders that alternated for eight-hour shifts per group,” she noted. “While one group slept the other alternated riding roughly every 15 minutes, pushing as hard as they could during their shift. It was rinse, rest and repeat for the duration of the event with the goal to make it to the finish line happy, healthy and in contention for the division title.”

Marino notes that team sponsor Ultimate Fighting Championship served as cornerstone for their fundraising efforts.

“We had donors and volunteers commit to support our fundraising with UFC and other sponsors helping out tremendously,” she said.

It took just one donor meeting to sell her on the charity.

“Although I do not have a family member or close friend that serves or has been directly affected in battle, I do represent the general public that we are trying to reach in our efforts with this epic ride,” Marino said. “I knew very little about this charity previous to being introduced to the team, but after sitting in on one donor meeting I was moved to tears and completely captivated.

“The men and women behind the charity’s efforts are out to make a real difference and the progress they have made that directly impacts and improves lives, all in a short amount of time is just impressive. I now ride as a very proud teammate and strong advocate of the work that Intrepid Fallen Heroes has done and continues to push for on behalf of our nation’s protectors.”

Marino is a former soccer, tennis and track standout for Poland High School who later earned four letters in soccer at the University of Richmond, helping the Spiders to the NCAA, Division I “Sweet 16” her junior year.

Those still wishing to donate can do so by visiting http://www.intrepidheroesrace.com/home.