Bruce Rychwalski reaches running milestone
Gates senior runner Bruce Rychwalski has completed his 200th 5K race since experiencing life-threatening ventricular tachycardia.
The 66-year old Rychwalski suffers from a heart muscle disease and received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to manage his condition.
The race – the Real Beer 5K – was held June 18 at Lovin’ Cup Bistro & Brews on Park Point Drive on the RIT campus in Henrietta. All proceeds from the race benefited Camp Good Days and Special Times.
Rychwalski expressed gratitude to his cardiologist, Dr. Sarah Taylor of Sands-Constellation Heart Institute for her care, which he said made the milestone possible.
The 200 races were run since 2011, and although Rychwalski does not run as fast as he used to, he says he continues to be, “in the middle of the pack,” making him competitive in the Male 60-69 or Male 65-69 age groups.