Going Red: JU rowing team to host 24-hour American Heart Association marathon Friday, Feb. 7

Who:American Heart Association, Jacksonville University Rowing Team, Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program

What: 24- Strokes for Heart Erg-a-thon
When: Friday, Feb. 7 12 p.m. to Saturday. Feb. 8 12 p.m.
Where: Jacksonville University Negaard Rowing Center  2800 University Blvd N. Jacksonville , FL 32211

Why:  Jacksonville University will have a distinctive role in the community-wide American Heart Association “National Wear Red Day” events on Friday, Feb. 7: The Negaard Rowing Center is hosting a 24-hour rowing marathon. Beginning at noon Friday, the men’s and women’s rowing teams and members of the Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports and Recreation Program will continuously row on indoor machines called ergometers to raise awareness for women’s heart health. The event is called “24 Strokes for Heart Ergathon.”

JU Rowing coach Jim Mitchell said the rowing teams have established a goal of rowing more than 1,500 miles – almost 2,415,000 meters – over the 24 hours.

In 2013, the students participated in 24-Strokes for Heart with outstanding results. There were at least 2 rowing machines (ergs), and up to 16 ergs being used at all times between noon on Friday, Feb. 1 and noon, Saturday, Feb. 2.  Participants rowed a total of 2,159,531 meters in 24 hours. This equals nearly 1,342 miles.  This is the same distance as from Jacksonville, FL to Lubbock, TX or from Jacksonville, FL to Omaha, NE.   The JU Men’s and Women’s teams rowed for more than 1.8 million meters. Additionally, Brooks Rehabilitation Adaptive Sports program members rowed 236,638  meters, all in support of American Heart Month.

According to Florida Charts.org, in 2012 the First Coast lost 3,246 residents to all cardiovascular diseases, and 51.26 % or 1,664  of them were women.