Why Parker Fontecchio Pulled a Truck for 31 Miles
Nineteen hours and 13 minutes — that’s how long Parker Fontecchio took to pull a truck for 31 miles.
Why would someone attempt such a challenge?
For the 24-year-old Fontecchio, the feat was a creative way to raise money for veteran suicide prevention.
- “I loved the idea of using the symbolism of dragging something behind me to show the weight some veterans feel is like dragging behind them. I wanted that weight to feel real and seen by others. And as an athlete, I wanted to go heavier and farther than a marathon,” Fontecchio, a CrossFit Level 2 coach and athlete at CrossFit Tempe in Tempe, AZ, told the Morning Chalk Up in an interview.
So far, Fontecchio’s fundraiser has raised $12,930 for Mission 22 — a nonprofit that supports veterans — and he’s still collecting donations.
Not His First Rodeo
This isn’t the first time Fontecchio has undertaken an extreme physical challenge for a cause he believes in.
- Last November, he completed 2,296 rope climbs — equivalent to the height of Mount Everest — in 25 hours and 40 minutes, raising $6,000 for men’s mental health.
The challenge took a toll on Fontecchio, who ended up in the hospital for five days afterward, experiencing what he called “severe rhabdo and borderline kidney and liver failure,” as well as an injured bicep and hamstrings.
Fontecchio escaped without injury this time around.
- “This year, I was way more prepared. So it was easier than the rope climbs on the body. No rhabdo, no hospital trip,” he said.
Fontecchio credits his team for ensuring he was well-fueled and received any necessary bodywork.
- “I pulled my truck by myself, but a whole team completed the event,” he said. “My girlfriend, Maggie, became the best nutrition coach and meal-prepped for the event. I also had my physical therapist, Josh, who was an absolute lifesaver, preparing me for and during the event, helping to get my muscles to stop cramping.”
The Big Picture
While most people would never consider pulling a truck for 31 miles (nor should they), for Fontecchio, it’s simple: “Veterans make so many sacrifices for us to live freely. The least I can do is give back and try and help.”
- “I’m using these fundraisers as a platform to start a conversation on this topic, as well as show how strong the human mind is even if it feels like the whole world is in front of you,” he added.
Featured image: @butterybros / Instagram
