Edgewater Mom Gears Up for Ironman

In less than 140.6 miles you can drive from Edgewater to DC, and then back home or take a trip to Ocean City, MD.

If you're Edgewater mom Rachelle Synoracki, in 140.6 miles you can bike, swim and run all while raising money for a worthy cause.

On July 28, Synoracki will compete in the Lake Placid Ironman, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run—or “crawl” at that point Synoracki jokes.

“I have done triathlons before, but never an Ironman,” Synoracki said. “This is like the mother of all. It’s the longest triathlon out there to do.”

The mom of two said she has always been into running and physical fitness, and has dreamed of doing an Ironman. When she heard some of the nurses she works with at Anne Arundel Medical Center talking about competing in an Ironman, she decided she wasn’t going to let them go without her—so she signed up.

However, instead of just competing in the event for herself, Synoracki decided she was also going to raise money for local charity the Check-6 Foundation, which aims to provide aid to serious and terminally ill children and veterans in need. 

The founder of the Check-6 foundation, Rob Balzano served in the DC National Guard with Synoracki’s husband. Twice a year, the organization invites a child from the DC Children’s Hospital to Andrews Air Force Base to be a pilot for a day.

“Because I am a mom, I just imagine if my child was sick and going through so much,” Synoracki said. “I like that they make one day in that child’s life easier.”

Balzano, who lives in Riva said the Synoracki’s have been a “great part” of his family. He and his wife are godparents to Synoracki’s two children, and he said he was honored when heard Synoracki’s was raising funds for Check-6.

“What’s great about it is it’s not a team training where you have to raise money,” Balzano said. “This is just her, on her own, trying to help and make a difference.”

Synoracki started training for the Ironman in July 2012, now the actual event is getting closer, she said it’s surreal. Her family will be joining her in Lake Placid on July 28, and Synoracki said her sights are on the finish line.

“I think it will just be – I don’t even know how to describe it,” Synoracki said. “I am a very emotional person, so having my family there will be very emotional. But it’s still kind of surreal— am I really doing this? But having them there for support, I feel pretty lucky.”

So far Synoracki has raised $1,500 for the Check-6 Foundation. Those who would like to contribute, can visit the organization’s website, by clicking here.