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Draft:Rick M Kent

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Rick M Kent

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Rick Kent Giro de Italia 1995

Richard “Rick” Kent (born September 21, 1956) is a former professional ultra-distance cycling specialist from Houston, Texas. Kent is notable for his performance record in the early years of the Race Across America across the United States. Kent was the seventh person to cross the United States on a bicycle in under nine days in the 1992 Race Across America.

Kent is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Delta Zeta Big Brothers as well as the Gruene Track Club, an elite group of long-distance runners founded by fellow student Andy Wismer.

Cycling

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Rick Kent 1989 Race Across America 50-miles to go

According to USA Cycling (formerly the United States Cycling Federation), Kent is designated Category-2 in both road cycling and track cycling. In 1988, Kent set a USA Cycling National Record for the 100-kilometer time trial at the Alkek Velodrome in Houston, Texas with a time of 2:46:21:39. The head official was Kathy Volski. In 1989, Kent qualified for the USA Cycling National Championships in a track cycling 40-kilometer points race. His trainer during this period was Houstonian Mike Gladu. The following year, both Kent Bostick and John Frey surpassed Kent’s record. USA Cycling no longer recognizes the 100-kilometer track time trial in its records.

Ultra-Marathon Cycling

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Rick Kent 1991 Race Across America 4th place evening of first day

The 185-mile Capital Challenge in October 1987 was Kent’s first long-distance race over 200 kilometers, from the Rice Hotel in Houston to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. He won, setting a new city-to-city record previously held by Olympic cyclist John Howard. Kent's next ultra race was the Spenco 500, held on a 25-mile loop outside Waco, Texas. The starters included veterans from the Race Across America and notable amateur and professional riders. In a finish-line interview, Kent announced his intention to compete in the 1989 Race Across America. He also competed in the IRONBUTT 24-hour race, held every October on a 14-mile loop around Stanley Draper Lake just outside of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Race Across America

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Kent qualified to compete in the Race Across America at the “RAAM Open West” held in the Mojave Desert, an event owned and operated by John Marino, one of the original four competitors of the 1982 Race Across America, then known as the Great American Bike Race. With a goal of a 10-day finish, Kent completed the race in 10 days and 33 minutes, finishing 10th in the men’s division. Susan Notorangelo set a women’s transcontinental record in the same race.

Kent finished the Race Across America two more times in 1990 and 1991. In 1991, he led the race for several hours on Day Two before his state of exhaustion created hallucinations that sidelined him, and Bob Fourney eventually took the lead and won the race. In 1992, Kent completed the race in under nine days, clocking 8 days, 20 hours, and 17 minutes with an average speed of 13.67 miles per hour (21.99 kilometers per hour). He became the seventh person to cross the United States on a bicycle in under nine days.

In 1993, Kent did not finish, withdrawing at Four Corners where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado meet. Race officials observed Kent in a delirious state, suffering from severe gastrointestinal issues. In 1994, with fewer sponsors and crew, he finished the race in over 10 days, his slowest crossing. Many years later, Kent’s neurologist indicated that there were signs of multiple sclerosis during his final Race Across America.

The Race Across America continues to be recognized as one of the world’s most difficult endurance races, attracting international competitors who participate as solo riders or as part of relay teams.

Running

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Kent began running in the fall of 1976 at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. In 1978, he entered the Capital 10,000 in Austin, Texas, beginning a running campaign that lasted several years. He qualified for the Boston Marathon by finishing the 1981 Houston Marathon in under 2 hours and 50 minutes. He had previously run the Boston Marathon unofficially, finishing in 4 hours and 29 minutes. During that race, he was passed by 73-year-old Boston running legend Johnny Kelley, whose presence motivated Kent to continue.

Rick Kent 1998 Ultraman World Championships Double Marathon Finish

Kent officially ran the Boston Marathon three more times, achieving a personal best of 2 hours and 51 minutes in 1981. He cites the New York City Marathon as his most enjoyable marathon experience, finishing in 3 hours and 1 minute with San Antonio news personality Peggy Kokernot.

Photography

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In 2001, Kent was asked to photograph the Danskin Triathlon for Brightroom Photography, beginning his career in professional sports photography. Within a year, he became the Texas Team Leader for Brightroom. In 2005, Brightroom asked its top seven team leaders to take over the company's smaller events, forming their own companies under Bright’s umbrella. Kent founded Enduro Photo, which became a highly regarded international company with photographers in 32 states and events in North Wales, including Ultraman United Kingdom. Enduro Photo was sold in 2015.

Multiple Sclerosis

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In 2001, Kent was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis by neurologist Dr. Marci Roy. Due to his prominence in the cycling world, Dr. Roy contacted Serono, the manufacturer of the disease-modifying drug Rebif, which Kent took via subcutaneous injection three times weekly. Serono funded the MS Lifelines Ambassador Program, which trained Kent in public speaking to share his story with others affected by multiple sclerosis. Actress and comedian Teri Garr, who also has MS, mentored him. Kent's diagnosis became public in a 1500-word story published by the Austin American-Statesman on December 1, 2002. Kent has since given numerous speeches in the United States and Switzerland.

Later Life and Advocacy

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Despite his MS diagnosis, Kent continued to participate in Ultraman races in Hawaii, British Columbia, and France/Italy. He completed four Ultraman (endurance challenge) races before his diagnosis. Kent's story reflects his athletic achievements as well as his resilience and determination in the face of adversity. He continues to inspire others through his advocacy for MS awareness, motivational speaking engagements, and work as a professional photographer.

References

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