|
Congratulations to Ron Rakos!
Janus Charity Challenge Ironman Participant Raises more than $10,000 for CPF
 Under brutal conditions, Ron Rakos of Neshanic Station, NJ successfully became an 'Ironman' in his first ever attempt at the Ironman distance on Sept. 11 in Madison, Wisc. With temperatures in the 90s, high humidity, and winds of 15-20 mph on the hilly and challenging bike course, the 2005 Ironman Wisconsin ended with one of the highest DNF (did-not-finish) rates in the history of Ironman racing. A whopping 23 percent of the competitors either dropped out or failed to make the time cut. Ron, who has been in the sport of triathlon for only two years, completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run in a time of 12:07:44. His splits were 1:12:13, 6:09:23 and 4:33:06 respectively. The harsh conditions coupled with the fact that he has competed in only a handful of triathlons, make his achievement all the more impressive.
On a personal note for Ron, his success at Ironman Wisconsin was especially meaningful as it benefited the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) to honor his mother and her fight with IPF. Ron's mother, Ida Mae, was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2002. By participating in the Janus Charity Challenge Ironman, Ron raised more than $12,000.
The CPF mourns the loss of Ida Mae Rakos, who passed away on December 4, 2005, shortly after this event was held.
Through the efforts of Ron, and through memorial contributions made to CPF on behalf of Ida Mae, the Rakos family has made a difference for IPF patients around the country. More than $14,000 in contributions have been received which aid the CPF’s education, awareness, advocacy and research efforts underway in the U.S. on behalf of all those affected by IPF. We are grateful for their charitable efforts during their time of mourning, as are our members around the country.
To view Ida Mae’s obituary, please click here.
|
