fontman
05-26-06, 12:20 PM
by Quantico Sentry Staff
May 25, 2006
What would make four normally rational Marines head to the Utah desert in the middle of summer to try and navigate their way over 500 miles of rugged terrain?
The chance to help other Marines is what drove Brian Chontosh, Jim and Sara Fullwood, and Kevin Saunders to register as Team Semper Fi for the 2006 Primal Quest Adventure Race, which is considered by many to be the ultimate test of human endurance. It is that same desire to help that keeps them motivated through the grueling hours of training required to compete.
"We wanted to race at Primal Quest and do something that would highlight the sacrifices of Marines who have given so much throughout the years," said Saunders, team captain and Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Rochester, N.Y. "So we called the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and asked if we could try to raise money and awareness for them through our efforts at the race. They agreed and have been wonderful in helping us with this endeavor, and the stories about the great work they are doing really help us stay focused during long training evolutions. We constantly think about the importance of increasing the public awareness of this fantastic organization."
"I am so appreciative that this amazing group of Marines has chosen to use Primal Quest as a vehicle to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund," said Karen Guenther, Fund founder and President Emeritus. "Kevin, Brian, Jim and Sarah are helping to keep the IMSFF mission of 'Serving Those who Preserve our Freedom' moving forward. Their support of the Fund means we can continue to meet the immediate financial needs of the injured Marines and their families during hospitalization and meet their long term needs with adaptive homes and vans. We cannot do enough for our wounded men and women who have sacrificed so much in the war on terrorism."
The Primal Quest is the longest and most demanding adventure race in the world, according to race officials. Typically, more than 70 percent of the teams will not finish the event, which requires co-ed teams of four to travel non-stop using only a map and compass to navigate the unforgiving course.
The race is held in a different international location every year, and this year the race includes trekking, mountaineering, canyoneering, mountain biking, whitewater swimming, flat water and white water kayaking, and horseback riding.
Simply finishing the Primal Quest Adventure is considered a remarkable achievement.
"The race really involves much of the same ethos and training that we highlight in the Marine Corps," said Chontosh, an instructor at the Infantry Officers Course. "Selflessness, teamwork and relentless determination are critical to success. We have a great team, and we have the added motivation of racing for a great cause."
The team effort extends well beyond the four members who will be racing. Word has spread throughout the wider Marine Corps family about the team's efforts to get to the race and raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Two weeks ago, Mark Llano, a former Marine and the CEO of Source One Distributors, offered to sponsor the team and pay the $8,000 race entry fee, which the team members had previously expected to pay on their own.
"What this team is trying to accomplish made supporting them a very easy decision for us," Llano said. "Their goals are a perfect fit for our companies as we, too, are committed to the mission and applaud the Marines for what they do everyday."
"The way Marines, both active duty and retired, have stepped up to the plate and supported us has really been inspirational," said Sarah Fullwood, who is currently assigned to Marine Corps Base Quantico. "It truly proves the adage of 'Once a Marine, Always a Marine.'"
Team Semper Fi stands out among the 95 teams competing in Primal Quest 2006. They are the only all-Marine team; they are one of the few teams racing to raise money for a non-profit organization, and they are one of only three teams that has a husband and wife as part of the team.
The team's racing philosophy is also unique. Unlike most teams who are racing against the clock, Team Semper Fi is willing to take the full 10 days allowed by the race in order to raise the maximum amount of money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
"Most teams want to finish quickly, but because we have some sponsors that are donating $2 or more per mile for each mile we finish, our goal is simply to race slow and steady and raise as much money and awareness as possible for the fund," Fullwood said.
"We don't race as a four-man team," said Jim Fullwood, who is currently a student at Command and Staff College. "When we race, we feel like we have the support of hundreds of thousands of Marines both past and present. We want to make them proud and demonstrate what 'Semper Fi' really means."
The Primal Quest race starts June 25. Teams will wear GPS tracking devices and can be followed on the Web at www.ecoprimalquest.com. Click on the "Team" tab and scroll down to Semper Fi. The race will air on network and cable television during the first half of October.
May 25, 2006
What would make four normally rational Marines head to the Utah desert in the middle of summer to try and navigate their way over 500 miles of rugged terrain?
The chance to help other Marines is what drove Brian Chontosh, Jim and Sara Fullwood, and Kevin Saunders to register as Team Semper Fi for the 2006 Primal Quest Adventure Race, which is considered by many to be the ultimate test of human endurance. It is that same desire to help that keeps them motivated through the grueling hours of training required to compete.
"We wanted to race at Primal Quest and do something that would highlight the sacrifices of Marines who have given so much throughout the years," said Saunders, team captain and Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Rochester, N.Y. "So we called the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and asked if we could try to raise money and awareness for them through our efforts at the race. They agreed and have been wonderful in helping us with this endeavor, and the stories about the great work they are doing really help us stay focused during long training evolutions. We constantly think about the importance of increasing the public awareness of this fantastic organization."
"I am so appreciative that this amazing group of Marines has chosen to use Primal Quest as a vehicle to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund," said Karen Guenther, Fund founder and President Emeritus. "Kevin, Brian, Jim and Sarah are helping to keep the IMSFF mission of 'Serving Those who Preserve our Freedom' moving forward. Their support of the Fund means we can continue to meet the immediate financial needs of the injured Marines and their families during hospitalization and meet their long term needs with adaptive homes and vans. We cannot do enough for our wounded men and women who have sacrificed so much in the war on terrorism."
The Primal Quest is the longest and most demanding adventure race in the world, according to race officials. Typically, more than 70 percent of the teams will not finish the event, which requires co-ed teams of four to travel non-stop using only a map and compass to navigate the unforgiving course.
The race is held in a different international location every year, and this year the race includes trekking, mountaineering, canyoneering, mountain biking, whitewater swimming, flat water and white water kayaking, and horseback riding.
Simply finishing the Primal Quest Adventure is considered a remarkable achievement.
"The race really involves much of the same ethos and training that we highlight in the Marine Corps," said Chontosh, an instructor at the Infantry Officers Course. "Selflessness, teamwork and relentless determination are critical to success. We have a great team, and we have the added motivation of racing for a great cause."
The team effort extends well beyond the four members who will be racing. Word has spread throughout the wider Marine Corps family about the team's efforts to get to the race and raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Two weeks ago, Mark Llano, a former Marine and the CEO of Source One Distributors, offered to sponsor the team and pay the $8,000 race entry fee, which the team members had previously expected to pay on their own.
"What this team is trying to accomplish made supporting them a very easy decision for us," Llano said. "Their goals are a perfect fit for our companies as we, too, are committed to the mission and applaud the Marines for what they do everyday."
"The way Marines, both active duty and retired, have stepped up to the plate and supported us has really been inspirational," said Sarah Fullwood, who is currently assigned to Marine Corps Base Quantico. "It truly proves the adage of 'Once a Marine, Always a Marine.'"
Team Semper Fi stands out among the 95 teams competing in Primal Quest 2006. They are the only all-Marine team; they are one of the few teams racing to raise money for a non-profit organization, and they are one of only three teams that has a husband and wife as part of the team.
The team's racing philosophy is also unique. Unlike most teams who are racing against the clock, Team Semper Fi is willing to take the full 10 days allowed by the race in order to raise the maximum amount of money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
"Most teams want to finish quickly, but because we have some sponsors that are donating $2 or more per mile for each mile we finish, our goal is simply to race slow and steady and raise as much money and awareness as possible for the fund," Fullwood said.
"We don't race as a four-man team," said Jim Fullwood, who is currently a student at Command and Staff College. "When we race, we feel like we have the support of hundreds of thousands of Marines both past and present. We want to make them proud and demonstrate what 'Semper Fi' really means."
The Primal Quest race starts June 25. Teams will wear GPS tracking devices and can be followed on the Web at www.ecoprimalquest.com. Click on the "Team" tab and scroll down to Semper Fi. The race will air on network and cable television during the first half of October.