My Story

My name is Rick Hermelin and I served in the Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963 as an Aviation Communications Technician. That training was to serve me very well in my 30-year career as an Electronics Engineer. For the last 20 years I have enjoyed working as a Massage Therapist and helping my clients feel better.

Over a period of 35 years, from August 1976 to June 2011, I completed 100 marathons, 100 half-marathons, and 100 10K’s. When I completed these milestones, I started looking for a new goal and came up with the idea of running coast to coast.  It’s something I have thought about many times and have always wanted to do.  I will be 71 years old when I start my journey, so I was worried about my body being able to handle the trek.  That’s when a client suggested I try the ElliptiGO, and the rest is history. By doing the run on an ElliptiGO I am able to do it without the impact of regular running and I’ll complete it much faster than on foot.

March 23, 1959 was my first day in the Marine Corps at MCRD San Diego and now, exactly 53 years later, I will start this journey to celebrate the good influence the Corps has had on my life all these years. On March 23, 2012 I will start my run on an ElliptiGO at MCRD Parris Island, SC and finish 100 days and 3000+ miles later on June 30, 2012 at MCRD San Diego, CA.

My goal is not only to run across the U.S. on my ElliptiGO, but to raise at least $10,000 for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, which provides support for injured and critically ill members of the Armed Forces and their families. If you would like to support my fundraising efforts for this incredible organization, you can make a donation to them here: My Fundraising Page

I hope you will follow my journey here or through my Facebook page and I welcome your support throughout my training and the event!