Bryan Warnecke, nicknamed “Pink Lightning” by his ice hockey coach, crosses the finish line!

By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos

July 20 through 22 marked a special weekend for several Castle Pines residents. Together with hundreds of other cyclists, they took to the hills in support of pint-sized patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado). The 24th annual Children’s Colorado Courage Classic took riders on a three-day trek across Summit County, starting and ending in Copper Mountain. But, who the riders were riding for was far more important than the breathtaking views.

Kirsten Nelson, Michelle Barton, Shanna Meeks, Ryan Meeks, Jan Levy and Selina Ballabio all rode on behalf of heart patients as part of the Cardiac Climbers team. “I was taken aback by the fact that each of us were not only united by our team jersey, but by the pictures of the children we each wore on our backs. Wow, there are a lot of kids out there with heart defects who need the Children’s Hospital,” said Nelson, who rode in honor of Jillian, a two-year-old who underwent her third open-heart surgery two days before the Courage Classic. The Cardiac Climbers raised more than $126,000 collectively.

Another Castle Pines resident, Bryan Warnecke single-handedly raised more than $70,000 as part of his team, Cherry Creek Insurance Group. It is the most money any single rider has ever raised in the history of the event. What makes his story especially touching is that he is a 14-year-old patient at Children’s Colorado. He rode with his dad, Steve, and other members of his team.

Warnecke suffers from cystic fibrosis (CF) and is committed to helping fund research to aid in the treatment of the disease. “I [rode] the Courage Classic to encourage others with CF to do everything that they can to keep their lungs healthy while Dr. Accurso [my doctor] finishes his work and to show that we can, even with diminished lung capacity, do things like ride 133 miles on a bike, play competitive hockey, ski a double black diamond bump run, or snowboard a half pipe,” said Warnecke.

“There were lots of people cheering at the finish line and it was great to finish with our entire team.  It was an awesome feeling to know that all of the training paid off and I was able to finish the entire route.  I hope that others with CF will be inspired to go after their goals, too,” added Warnecke.

In total the 2013 Courage Classic raised more than $2.24 million dollars. The 2014 Courage Classic will return to Copper Mountain July 19, 20 and 21, 2014. To learn more about Children’s Colorado and the Courage Classic, visit www.childrenscoloradofoundation.org.

Bryan Warnecke celebrates with his mom, Wendy, and Dad, Steve. (Photos courtesy of Steve Warnecke).

Left – Michelle Barton and Kirsten Nelson share a moment. The bibs on the back of their jerseys are dedicated to the children they rode in honor of – Sam and Jillian. (Photo courtesy of Kirsten Nelson and Michelle Barton). Right – Selina Ballabio meets up with one of the many amazing physicians at Children’s Colorado, pediatric cardiologist Dunbar Ivy, M.D. (Photo courtesy of Selina Ballabio).

Cardiac Climbers Shanna Meeks, Kirsten Nelson, Michelle Barton, and Jan Levy get ready to ride. (Photo courtesy of Kirsten Nelson and Michelle Barton).