Riverhead runner completes 100-mile challenge for breast cancer awareness
With her Maximus gym family cheering her on, Bibi Gallanti finished her monthlong 100-mile challenge on a treadmill Tuesday for breast cancer awareness — dressed in a vibrant pink tutu, sequin top and flower crown.
Though she isn’t an avid runner, Ms. Gallanti was motivated by a cause that hits close to home. She knows family members and friends fighting breast cancer.
Among them is Sandra Reyes, her best friend of 26 years, who was diagnosed five years ago. She was at the Riverhead gym as Ms. Gallanti crossed the figurative finish line.
“I’m so proud of her, and I know how hard it was for her,” Ms. Reyes told the Riverhead News-Review. “I’m so happy she did it, and she’s a great person.”
Ms. Gallanti turned her personal fitness goal into a fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society, which helped launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985. The October observance promotes education and early detection.
For Ms. Gallanti, the 100-mile journey was about making a difference. Her effort raised $560 — surpassing her original $450 goal.
“I just want to do something good,” Ms. Gallanti said after completing the challenge. “If I can run, why not?”
Alex Cameron, co-owner of Maximus Health + Fitness on East Main Street, said Ms. Gallanti approached him before the month began with the idea of running 63 miles in one go, which he felt was a bit extreme for a novice runner.
A native of Kazakhstan, Ms. Gallanti said she skated professionally for nearly seven years and has always been an athletic person. However, when it came to running, it wasn’t her preferred exercise — and she said she still doesn’t like it.
Before taking on the challenge, Ms. Gallanti would typically run for only around 15 minutes as a warm-up. Instead of completing 63 miles in one day, she settled on tackling 100 miles in one month.
“It’s a mental test for somebody who is not a runner to say, ‘I’m going to run 100 miles, I’m going to get up and do something that I do not like to do two-thirds of the month,’” said Mr. Cameron, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor. “That’s where the power is.”
She began Oct. 1 with a five-mile run, then gradually increased her distance, logging up to eight miles on some days. She pushed through early mornings, tired days, good runs and difficult ones, knowing every mile was meaningful.
When she first shared on social media that she was going to attempt the 100-mile challenge, she remembered feeling scared and doubting herself.
As she ran with all her might to finish the last half-mile of the challenge on the treadmill, Ms. Gallanti couldn’t help but become emotional hearing Mr. Cameron, her spin-class friends, husband, family and others count down to the end.
“As soon as you start thinking you can do it, you have more power,” she said. “I was thinking about those people who need [support] right now — if I can help, I’m gonna do it, I’ll do 500 miles if I need to.”
Everyone from her regular Tuesday morning spin class came out to root for her, including instructor Roland Walker, who also uses his spin classes to highlight personal milestones.
He believes acknowledging individual achievements inspires others at all levels and stages to continue their fitness journeys.
“We get inspired when other people recognize what they do,” Mr. Walker said.
This is not the first time a Maximus Fitness member has taken on a fitness challenge at the downtown Riverhead gym. With the support of Mr. Cameron, 84-year-old Nester Kramer rode 250 miles a few months ago to raise money for American Legion Post 273.
Mr. Cameron encourages anyone in the Maximus community to step outside of their comfort zones and challenge themselves.
“This is so inspiring, this is what I want for the Maximus community — it’s contagious,” he said. “Anybody that’s hitting a goal for themselves, I admire that — why not do something for a cause.”
Ms. Gallanti is still accepting donations for her fundraiser supporting the American Cancer Society. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/BibiRuns100Miles.
