25 Hours for Hank is a raving success

SANDPOINT — Winners abounded on Saturday and Sunday during the Cycling for Cystinosis 24 Hour fundraiser in the Selle Valley.

Sagle cyclist Jacob Styer was a winner, cranking out 361 miles to top the 92 adults that rode as many 18-mile loops as they could from 11 a.m. on Saturday to 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Sandpoint runner Chuy Fragoso was a winner, running an incredible 120 miles and not just achieving his goal of four marathons, but surpassing it by 15 miles.

Team Laughing Dog, which had two squads entered, dominated the team competition, finishing 125 laps and more than 2,300 miles between them.

But the biggest winner, hands down, was 24 Hours for Hank, a local non-profit organization named after local child Henry Sturgis, who has cystinosis. All told, more than 9,700 miles were traveled, both by solo riders and teams, raising more than $33,000 to help research and find a cure for the rare genetic disease.

Styer, a 32-year-old tax accountant at Coldwater Creek, enjoys participating in all of the local events, including all four of the 24 Hours for Hank skiing and cycling events, the Coeur d’Alene Ironman, the Long Bridge Swim, Rails to Resort Hill Climb, the Scenic Half and the CHaFE 150. He said the toughest part of the event was also proved the biggest highlight.

“The cold, early morning laps were hard to complete,” described Styer. “But motivation came from seeing the other riders, and a runner, out there at the same time and all doing it for Hank.”

Seven riders finished more than 300 miles, including Greg Helbling, who lost five cousins in the early 1970s to cystinosis. Sandpoint’s Charles Mortensen was second overall, churning out 342 miles, and was one of a handful of adults who rode portions of the race with their kids.

Fragoso, 37, was the lone runner and the event’s top individual fundraiser. He solicited more than $1,100 in fixed donations, and another $56 per mile, earning just a shade under $8,000 by himself in a grueling test of endurance.

Sandpoint’s Hal Schmidt joined Fragoso for one of the 18 mile legs, and SHS cross country runner Jimmy Mathews rode alongside Fragoso for another lap at night, lending valuable support during a mentally and physically taxing undertaking. Fragoso said the toughest part of the whole experience was the last 12 miles, after he’d already accomplished his goal of four marathons by the 21 hour mark.

“At that point I had accomplished what I wanted, but I still had three hours left. I didn’t want to make it a 21 hour event,” recalled Fragoso, adding how tough it was getting back on his feet and moving again after the small breaks between each of the six-plus laps during the event.

“A huge exhale and relief that I came through on the challenge I set for myself. At no point did I think I had to stop.”

New this year was a four-mile kids lap, with local Max Meredith, 9, churning out a whopping 21 laps and 84 miles, much of it with a big smile on his face.

“I’m doing it for Hank, but also for my baby sister Maya,” said Meredith. “She has special needs too.”

Perhaps the riders that had the most fun were the kids in Hank’s play group, who rode a lap with a few parents before coming back and eating cups of gummi bears.

“We wanted to come out and support Hank,” said Melanie Von Achen, who pedaled on a tandem bike with daughter Maya.

“We’re so glad they had a kids’ ride. They’re all such great friends with Hank.”

Event organizer Tricia Sturgis, the mother of Hank and one of the driving forces behind 24 Hours for Hank, wished to thank everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored or donated to the event.

“Without the support of all of you, we wouldn’t be getting closer to a cure for Hank,” she said.

For more information, or to see complete race results, visit “www.24hoursforhank.org.”