Fragoso running to make a difference

SANDPOINT — Chuy Fragoso says he is running MAD these days.

Not angry, mind you, but running to “Make A Difference.”

On Sept. 8-9, while scores of participants are taking part in the Cycling for Cystinosis 24 Hour fundraiser in Sandpoint, Fragoso will be waging a mentally and physically grueling battle of his own.

The 39-year-old Sandpoint resident is attempting to run 200 miles in 40 hours, but more importantly, he’s hoping to raise $25,000 for a cause that has become near and dear to his heart.

In 2008, Fragoso came across the organization 24 Hours for Hank, a local non-profit dedicated to finding a cure for the fatal disease Cystinosis, which affects Sandpoint six year-old Henry Sturgis. Since then he’s been an avid and prolific supporter of the cause.

“I’m blessed with two healthy boys, with the youngest around Hank’s age,” says Fragoso. “The foundation is what started my running. This is what I do, I run far.”

Fragoso, who owns a curtain release company that has been used at events such as the Oscars and NFL kickoff party, will start his journey 16 hours before the cyclists, so they can all finish together.

He’ll run the same 18 mile loop as the cyclists, stopping briefly after each one to change his shoes and socks and take in proper nourishment. To stay on pace, he’s allotted a specific time for each loop, ranging from two hours and 40 minutes for the first one to a high of four hours for miles 109-126, a stint run in the heat of the day.

To quell the monotony and help offer encouragement, a handful of volunteers will ride a bike alongside Fragoso during each loop, including Aaron Matzke, a friend from Los Angeles who will take the toughest shifts in the middle of the night.

“I’ll definitely be feeding off the energy of anyone around me. That human interaction is really huge,” says Fragoso, who is confident he’ll hit his lofty goal. “I’ll definitely do the 200 (miles), whether I hit the 40 hours, we’ll see. It’s going to be so much more mental than physical.”

In 2010, Fragoso finished 120 miles in 24 hours at the same fundraiser, so he has a pretty good inkling of what’s in store after adding another three marathons to the tally. He has already raised more than $5,800 in donations, and is shooting for $25,000, calling it humbling when complete strangers pledge their support.

Event organizer Brian Sturgis, Hank’s father, admires the dedication with which Fragoso — who has worn a blue 24 Hours for Hank bracelet every day since 2008 — has attached himself to the cause of helping find a cure for Hank and others living with Cystinosis.

“His 200 mile attempt has already created a lot of attention around Cystinosis and donations are coming in from all around the country to support him,” says Sturgis. “We wish him the best of luck on his 200 mile quest and can’t thank him enough.”

Sore feet are what he remembers most about the 120 mile run, and he’ll try to run/walk portions of the 11 plus laps to minimize the pain and pounding.

Ultra marathon runners, those brave enough to tackle distances greater than 26.2 miles, are fond of saying “beware of the chair,” a warning that stopping is easy, but starting again can be torture. Fragoso hopes to take as little time as necessary between each of the 11 plus laps, but he admits he’s not sure how long that will be.

Klein Fragoso, who is nearly the same age as Hank Sturgis, expressed the kind of innocent confidence only a young son can muster when Chuy told him 200 miles was going to be tough.

“He said ‘daddy, I know you can do it,’” recalls Fragoso. “At some point during the run, I’ll go back to that.”

For more information, go online to www.24hoursforhank.org.

How to help

To make a donation, visit Facebook.com/

200miles40hours, or go online to  www.active.com/donate/24hours-

forhank/chuy200m40h