Row for Relief will raise money for fire victims

On Saturday, Sept.  22, five coaches from Orangetheory Fitness San Marcos (OTFSM) will take turns rowing a total of 100,000 meters (62 miles), with one goal in mind: to raise money for those directly affected by the recent fatal fire at the Iconic Village apartments in San Marcos. The fire claimed the lives of five people, while completely destroying the property of many others.

It all began during a monthly meeting when coach Ros Hill suggested he and his fellow coaches row 50,000 meters just for fun. But the distance challenge quickly increased when head coach Micah Ross suggested they row 100,000 meters, at which point coach Rebecca Rounds posed the idea of rowing beyond fun, and, instead, row with a purpose. It didn’t take long for that purpose to become a fundraiser —  Row For Relief.  

The five coaches of OTFSM don’t plan to row casually, but rather work up a sweat by rowing hard. “Rowing 100,000 meters will take us nearly seven hours to complete,” Hill said. “We are not rowing for ourselves. We have created a unique event to draw attention to the cause. We are going to sweat for the greater good — raising money for those in need right here in our own community.”

OTFSM will also hold their semi-annual Dri-Tri event simultaneously with the Row For Relief, where their members will participate in a challenging triathlon-inspired event. One hundred percent of the registration fees for the Dri-Tri will go directly to the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN), as will all monies collected from local businesses and the general public. ADRN will specifically designate the money to aid those people directly affected by the fire.

For a $100 donation to the cause, local businesses are invited to set up a tent or table at the event.

It will be held beginning at 9 a.m. on Sept. 22 at Orangetheory Fitness San Marcos, 243 Wonder World Drive #108, 512-357-3057.