Fitness and Fun Come Together to Support the Troops

Highlands Ranch, Colo., May 3, 2016 (Newswire.com) - ​​Fitness has become a venue for supporting great causes, whether it's a local five or 10 K run, or a nationally-recognized marathon. This past weekend, it was the American Odyssey Relay, sponsored by Fitness Together® (FT) studios in the Washington D.C. area, in support of our troops. Under the leadership of Rick Coe, owner of FT studios in Bethesda and Potomac, The American Odyssey Relay is a 200-mile trek that begins in historic Gettysburg, Penn., and ends in the Nation's Capital of Washington D.C. The relay raises funds and awareness for several charities, including Team Red, White and Blue (Team RWB), a non-profit supporting veterans returning from active-duty and whose mission is to enrich the lives of wounded veterans and their families.

The 2016 American Odyssey Relay marked the sixth year that Rick and his fellow FT studios ran the race. Taking the time to support a cause, and run a 200-mile relay race is more than just a weekend commitment. For each of the participants in the relay race, they are driven by the cause, setting new fitness goals, banding together and having fun.

"The relay has become an important annual event for our studios, the participants and our local FT community. To have as much fun as we have, while creating comradery in support of our troops makes this event the perfect race for our studios. It also helps keep us all in better shape."

Mike Coe, Owner, Fitness Together in Bethesda and Potomac, MD

"The relay has become an important annual event for our studios, the participants and our local FT community," Coe said. "To have as much fun as we have, while creating comradery in support of our troops makes this event the perfect race for our studios. It also helps keep us all in better shape."

In addition to Coe's studios, FT studios in Georgetown,  Fairfax, Va. , East Greenwich, R.I. and South Park, N.C. were represented as part of Team FT. For Stacy Adams, who owns the Georgetown Fitness Together®, it was her studio's first time and she was thrilled to be a part of the team.

"Running the race is something I've always wanted to do, but was too engulfed in growing my business. I never had the time to take away from the studio," Adams said. "Running this year was a huge step for me, as I finally got back to running again and I was able to take this time off to enjoy a race with my FT family for a good cause!"

While any day of any month is a great time to support the American Military and the veterans who served our country, the FT team says the timing is perfect leading in to Military Appreciation Month. The cause is particularly significant for Coe, who is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a former Army Officer.

"The military has certainly been a huge part of my life, It has taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, commitment and perseverance," Coe said. "Our FT studios thrive off the same values, and this relay race, while a lot of fun, requires a lot of hard work and the support of the team. For the group of us to come together and work hard to raise awareness and money for the men and women of the military and their families makes this event very special."

The team has set up an online opportunity for anyone interested in donating to their cause, with a $5,000 goal. Fitness Together® thanks all the men and women who have served and are serving our country, and are honored to recognize them as part of National Military Appreciation Month.

Source: Fitness Together