The Goats are passionate philanthropic outdoorsmen that will be riding their bikes across America!
This team of four is comprised of a world renowned pediatric surgeon and three well-recognized businessmen. The types of endurance events they have participated in range from Iron Man Triathlons, Skiing the Haute Route in Europe, completing the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike and Running Race, and one of these guys even completed the Badwater 135 mile running race. Staying active in their professional and personal lives, along with supporting their communities is a common bond all four team members share.
WHAT IS RAAM?
Race Across America (RAAM) is one of the most respected and longest running ultra-endurance events in the world. RAAM is seen as a pinnacle of athletic achievement not only in cycling circles but the greater sporting community as well.
The Goats will be racing in the 60-69 RAAM age group category, supported by a crew of 12 of the rider's family members and friends.
THE EVENT
Starts at Oceanside CA and ends at the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland.
Crosses the three major mountain ranges in the US – Sierras, Rockies, and the Appalachian.
Distance is 3,069 miles, across 12 states and has over 175,000 feet of total elevation climbs.
The race is a non-stop relay and the team plans on completing the race in under 7 days.
Follow The Mountain Goats
Meet The Mountain Goats
Rider Thomas Gart
Rider Thomas Gart has known Matt Leonard (#HighFivesAthlete number 72) since his freshman year at Middlebury College with Tom’s son, Alex. Following a traumatic spinal cord injury in 2015, Matt completed his rehab at Craig Hospital, in Denver, and Tom was able to spend a significant amount of time following his progress. Matt was excited to have High Fives Foundation help him return to pursuing his prior outdoor activities. Tom noted, "After his rehab, I was so happy to be able to ski with Matt once again. You could feel the joy emanating from him and it was awesome to be back on the snow with him! High Fives is a godsend to help people like Matt get back to an active lifestyle. In thinking about a charity to support as part of our RAAM race, High Fives was a natural fit!"
Rider Steven Scot Rothenberg
Steve Scot Rothenberg is a pediatric surgeon and has dealt with disabled children for his entire career. When he was a college student hoping to attend medical school, he worked at Swedish and Craig Hospitals on the near trauma unit dealing with people with spinal cord injuries. His career helped him realize how devastating these injuries are for those who go through them. Because of that, and his own passion for the outdoors; skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, etc., he realizes how important the work our Foundation is to these injured men and women, to help regain a part of their lives and build confidence and independence.
Rider Ted Philip
Ted recently retired from a 30-year career with public, private and non-profit companies. Most recently, Ted was the Chief Operating Officer of Partners in Health, a non-profit organization serving marginalized communities throughout the world including Haiti, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi and Siberian Prisons. He also worked at industry leading companies like Disney, Lycos and Morgan Stanley. In his free time, Ted competes in ultra-distance biking and running races. He is also an avid skier, kiteboarder and wake surfer. The outdoors has always been an important part of Ted’s life and believes it has incredible healing powers for people with physical or mental illnesses. He believes the work that High Fives does to allow people with injuries to regain access to the outdoors is an important step to allow them to regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
Rider Stan Smith
Stan Smith has done a number of endurance biking events including 3 Leadville 100's (already signed up for #'s 4 & 5), the Breck Epic, the Furnace Creek 508 and a dozen B2b's which is the Harpoon Brewery in downtown Boston to the Harpoon brewery in Vermont (148 mile ride) ride.
Last year Stan suffered a major injury during a bike ride that shattered his pelvis. Based on the initial diagnosis he thought his riding and skiing activities, which have over the years become important family and friend activities, were essentially over. Fortunately he was treated by some amazing Doctors and with their incredible skills, is prepared to join his team for RAAM this summer.
That close call made him realize how he had taken these activities for granted until the moment he thought they all may have been taken away. The goal of High Five to give those with more traumatic injuries the ability to gain back these important activities has become very personal to Stan and he is proud to support their efforts to help all the athletes and Veterans to get back out there to pursue their passions, whatever form they take.
Mountain Goats RAAM Distance
= 3,069 miles
