The Metcon Trail Runners:
A CrossFit Journey To Serve
Oklahoma Sports & Fitness with Brent Pendergrass and Andrew Meredith
Oklahomans Brent Pendergrass and Andrew Meredith are set to embark on a journey of a lifetime. In one month, they will find themselves in the heart of Cairo, Egypt, using their CrossFit knowledge and experience to help a community in need.
Before they leave the country, however, the two men have a small task to accomplish. Their upcoming run, Across Oklahoma, is a 500-mile run to help raise funds for their project, MetCon Egypt, and raise awareness for minority Christians in Egypt. This is a group that has limited access to things like fitness and sound nutritional education. MetCon Egypt hopes to bring both of these things to this community that would otherwise not have access to quality training and nutritional education. In addition, Brent, Andrew and their team in Egypt hopes to use fitness to develop a strong sense of community and hope.
OKS&F: Why was this specific time and location for your project chosen? Why is your destination Cairo, Egypt?
Brent: There is an opportunity for us to reach Coptic Christians in Egypt. Coptic Christians are the largest minority group in Egypt and are often considered second-class citizens. They are largely over looked, underfunded and even persecuted for their faith. We will not only be working with people to understand the benefits of a good diet and exercise, but we will be using CrossFit to give them a sense of community, safety, and an environment to learn and grow. CrossFit is the fastest growing fitness industry in Egyptian history and Coptic Christians do not have access to it.
OKS&F: What will you be doing day-to-day while you are in Egypt?
Brent: We will be conducting classes and building a community with the youth in Cairo. Our goal is to build a community and educate them about nutrition. The biggest problem is being able to afford food. Our goal will be to teach them what to buy with what they have; teaching them healthier choices that will cost less and give them a better life. We want to give them hope where they have none, and let them know that they are valued in the eyes of God. We have a great team to reach different ages and genders. For example, my wife Amanda will be working the women’s classes and helping women understand their value.
OKS&F: How long do you plan to be in Egypt?
Brent: Our goal is to set up an affiliate in Egypt and have a Coptic Christian take it over within 2-3 years.
OKS&F: What do you foresee being the biggest obstacles once you are in Cairo?
Brent: Learning the language and getting our facility ready for so many Coptic Christians that are there waiting for us. We have over 200 that want us there and to join!
OKS&F: What do you feel would be the ideal scenario/state of this community in Cairo when you return to the United States?
Brent: We want to see a Coptic Christain own the CrossFit box, and the community continue to reach people in need. We would want the focus on other Coptic Christians that live in garbage cities and keep reaching them.
OKS&F: Will you have equipment available for you to teach?
Brent: We are needing the full gamut. We need a rig that has places for pull ups, a rack for barbells, barbells, box jumps, medicine balls, etc.. We are looking to train up to 15 people a time. All of the equipment will be shipped overseas.
OKS&F: What is the purpose of your fundraising?
Brent: The first purpose of the run is to glorify God, of course! The second part is to make America aware of what Coptic Christian’s lives are like in Cairo. The third purpose is to raise funds to get equipment over to Cairo and have all we need to execute the plan. We want this to be a great place for these people in need of community. Running across Oklahoma will be crazy, but we are definitely up for the adventure! Why not!
OKS&F: What is your planned running route? Why did you choose this specific route?
Andrew: We will start in the panhandle of Oklahoma and mostly be running on 412 and Highway 20. We are starting in Kenton, OK (Hitchin' Post Bed and breakfast) to west Siloam Springs, AR. We decided to run from the west to east because, to our knowledge, no one has ever run across Oklahoma from those directions. We chose this route and direction for two reasons. One, this route is just over 500 miles. And two, we will be making our way just above Tulsa, OK. Running through Claremore towards the last quarter of our run will play a huge roll mentally because we will have more people supporting us and coming to cheer us on. Some people pledged they will run a couple miles with us!
OKS&F: Why did you choose to run the 500 miles with Brent?
Andrew: No one in their right mind is going to run 500 miles for no reason. The “why” behind this run has pushed us through the training and will push us through to the end. Brent is one of my best friends and he is always fun and uplifting. Three years ago, I was in a life threatening accident where I broke my neck and back in a surfing accident. I almost lost my life. I know every day now is a gift from God. I had a long recovery process. I never thought I would be a long distance runner, but God had different plans. I have had support from so many friends and family and have been able to push myself to be where I am now.
I am doing this run because I want to show people it is possible to be stronger than your injury or illness. You just have to start with small goals and review them every day. You have to envision yourself accomplishing a specific goal. Find the “why” behind what you want to do and go do it!
(See more of Andrew’s story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEStbGQ5fqI
OKS&F: Do you have planned rest areas? If so, where will these be?
Andrew: My planned rest stops are approximately every 25 feet! Unfortunately, Brent has a little different plan. We plan on taking this run in 7-mile increments. Every 7 miles we will rest and roll our muscles out. When you’re running 35 miles every day for 2 weeks, you have to run smart. The main thing is to enjoy this run. So if we see a cool resting point we will stop for a little, stretch, take some pictures and move on.
OKS&F: What do you most look forward to about the run ahead?
Brent: I'm excited to see the true beauty of Oklahoma. I can't wait to see what most people won’t! I've been involved with CrossFit since 2007 (Brent is currently the co-owner of CrossFit Green Country in Broken Arrow), but never wanted to run. When I suffered broken ribs in 2014, I was basically forced to add running into my routine, and was hooked.
Andrew: I'm really a former sprinter from high school, but I've been doing CrossFit for two years now. I've found CrossFit has improved my running tremendously and helped me go longer and farther. This will be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. I’m excited to push myself through this and become a stronger person physically, mentally and spiritually.
OKS&F: What do you feel will be the most difficult part of the run?
Brent: Keeping our feet healthy.
Andrew: Waking up at 5:00 am after a 35-mile run the day before.
OKS&F: What is your primary goal for your time in Egypt?
Brent: We want to be a tight-knit community that works with people of all types who would otherwise be unable to afford to learn fitness. We will not only bring in those who can't afford regular dues, our community will carry this value into the greater community at large by using the fees and donations we take to benefit those in need around us. We want to take our tight-knit fitness community and use the profits for benefiting those in need around us.
OKS&F: What is the easiest way people can help your efforts and cause?
Brent: The easiest way is to visit and interact with our page online: https://www.youcaring.com/metcon-egypt-363587#
OKS&F: How can our readers follow your journey?
Brent: This is my online blog that will be updated regularly! http://metcontrailrunners.blogspot.com
