Robyn Benincasa is a World Champion Adventure Racer and a San Diego Firefighter. Among her accomplishments, Benincasa is the EcoChallenge Adventure Race World Champion (Borneo), Raid Gauloises Adventure Race World Champion (Ecuador), top five finisher in over 20 expedition adventure races, and a 10-time Ironman finisher. She was profiled in the December 2009 issue of Runner's World as a running hero.
Osteoarthritis
In 2007, at age 41, Benincasa as diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear on the cartilage (the tissues that cushion the bones of the joints). The breakdown of the cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other and results in swelling, muscle stiffness, weakness and extreme pain. Common treatments include pain medications, icing and/or heating the affected areas, and in the worst cases, surgery.
Hip Resurfacing
Robyn's case was severe and she ended up having two hip resurfacing procedures. Specifically, she had two Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) procedures done exclusively by Smith & Nephew, an orthopedics manufacturer in the US and England. Because hip replacements may wear out in younger, more active patients and need to be replaced again, hip resurfacing is becoming a more popular treatment option. In this type of surgery, more of the femur is preserved. The bone is reshaped and implants are used to restore the function of the joint. The hip resurfacing alternative also allows the patient to resume normal activities. In fact, just sixteen weeks after her surgery, Benincasa completed the Sedona Marathon and has continued her stellar running and adventure racing career.
Project Athena
So inspired by being able to get back to running and racing, Benincasa, with the help of some friends, founded Project Athena, which is a non-profit organization that provides women who have sustained significant physical ailments or injuries the opportunity to overcome the odds and obstacles to achieve their fitness goals. Athenaships are awarded to help with entry fees, airfare, coaching, and specialized equipment, as well as training, coaching and inspiration. With the backing of the Project Athena Foundation, women have gone on to run a marathon, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim.
New this year, Project Athena will launch the Akali Project Athena Racing Cities. Events will be held in three cities (San Diego, Raleigh and Nashville) in 2010 and five cities in 2011 and 2012. These family fun days will include a 15K God/Goddess Run, a 5K Athena Adventure Challenge and the Merrill Mini Athena and Mini Zeus Kids Challenge.
Robyn Benincasa's adventurous spirit carries out in all aspects of not only her life but the lives of others. Not letting a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or two hip resurfacing procedures get her down, she truly embodies a running hero in her efforts to help others overcome adversity to achieve their athletic dreams.
Krista Sadlers - Krista Sadlers is a freelance writer, based out of Sebastian, FL whose education, work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a ...
Join the Conversation