Robin McGeough and Norman "FUJI" Fujimoto complete 15th annual endurance feat to fundraise for sober living scholarships

HIGH RES PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

COVINA, Calif. – The 15th annual Run4Recovery concluded this weekend as Robin McGeough and Norman "FUJI" Fujimoto completed their five-day, 502-mile bike ride across southern California. The duo began their journey on Sept. 26, and finished on Saturday to cheers from spectators awaiting their return at Aurora Charter Oak Hospital. The ride is meant to bring awareness to the issue of addiction and the journey to recovery, as well as raise $50,000 for sober living scholarships through the Puente House Foundation.

The ride took McGeough and Fujimoto on a daily out-and-back, 100-mile trip from Covina to Newport Beach, California. The team rode for about 12 hours each day, more than 60 hours total during the 5-day trek. They are more than halfway to their $50,000 goal, with $45,000 in donations made so far. 

“This is a personal endurance challenge like no other. My body is exhausted, but my heart is filled with the spirit of recovery for those we help,” said McGeough. “Thank you to all who made this 15th year of Run4Recovery such a special one.”

“My heart is full and I am abundantly blessed. The heartfelt love and support from the community were felt 50 miles away in Newport Beach at our turnaround point. It carried us from the south to the north and allowed us to finish strong!” Fujimoto said. “I was deeply moved by the unity of everyone fighting for a common cause. There were tears, hugs, and support from those that have loved and lost someone to this deadly, urgent disease of addiction.”

In advance of the ride, an alumna of the ride helped Run4Recovery raise $6,000 toward their fundraising goal. Lindsey Crowley, who rode alongside McGeough for the last five years, hosted the Chuckwalla Challenge in Desert Center, Calif. on Sept. 9. Participants were invited to run, ride, walk, drive or skate 12 laps around the famous raceway track, representing the 12 steps of recovery.

To celebrate the end of the ride, the hospital hosted a community 5k walk and SOBERFEST event. Participants were treated to a pancake breakfast and had the opportunity to interact with a host of vendors from across the San Gabriel Valley. McGeough and Fujimoto made remarks to the crowd, along with Puente House’s administrator Karl Moris. Presentations were made by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis and San Dimas Mayor Emmett Badar, who offered a commendation and a proclamation of Run4Recovery Day.

Over the last 15 years, Run4Recovery has raised more than $350,000 for the Puente House Foundation scholarship fund. McGeough has run and ridden thousands of miles to draw attention to the cause, with teammates like Fujimoto joining him along the way. He founded the event after a friend presented a challenge: if McGeough could run 20 miles a day for 10 days, they would donate $1000 to a charity of his choice. He met the goal and raised $3500 that year. While the event originated as a running feat, the team transitioned to riding ElliptiGO elliptical bikes to prevent joint and muscle injury.

Plans for the 2023 edition of the event are already in progress, and the details are set to be announced next summer. For more information on Run4Recovery, visit www.run4recovery.com. 

ABOUT RUN4RECOVERY

The Run4Recovery is both an epic feat of endurance and a community event designed to provide vital support to those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions in the San Gabriel Valley. Over the last 15 years, Run4Recovery has raised more than $350,000 for the Puente House Foundation scholarship fund.  Run4Recovery’s creator, Robin McGeough, has run and ridden thousands of miles to draw attention to the cause. The annual event culminates in a community 5k walk. For more information on Run4Recovery, visit www.run4recovery.com.

###