Help Larry Help Breakthrough Public Schools!
Join us in celebrating FOB Board Member Larry Orwin, who took on the world's toughest footrace, the Badwater Ultramarathon, to fuel our mission. In 2022, Larry competed in the race and used his participation to kickstart a transformative journey for the expansion of our Woodland Hills campus. The funds raised allowed us to purchase the land adjoining our campus for this expansion.
This year, Larry ran the Badwater 135 again, aiming to help us build a gymnasium at the Woodland Hills campus. Although he faced challenges at mile 112 (37 hours in), Larry's commitment to our cause remains unwavering. Let's rally behind his incredible efforts and continue to support the expansion of our campus!
What is Badwater 135?
Globally recognized as the world’s toughest foot race, the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon is a pure athletic challenge of athlete, shoes, and support crew versus a brutal 135-mile / 217km stretch of highway and a forty-eight hour time limit.
From the start line in Death Valley to the finish line high on Mt. Whitney, this one-of-a-kind foot race offers the promise of a supremely personal achievement along with international accolades for those who rise to the occasion.
Larry is one of only one hundred runners, world-wide, who was invited to participate in the Badwater 135. From the scorching Death Valley to the towering heights of Mt. Whitney, he tackled 112 miles of unforgiving terrain with a relentless spirit.
But Larry didn't just run for personal glory; he ran to make a difference. With every step, he's propelled us closer to our goal of breaking ground in Woodland Hills. Let's match his determination by raising the funds needed to turn the Woodland Hills campus gymnasium into reality!
Photos of Badwater 2022 courtesy of Larry Orwin
Larry Joins Telich Talks Podcast
Episode Description: Larry Orwin is taking on the Badwater 135 this year, his second attempt at finishing the grueling event. The race begins in Death Valley, California, and goes 135 miles to the trailhead of Mt. Whitney's 8,360 foot elevation.
Larry is a board member for Breakthrough Schools and raised nearly $150,000 when he ran Badwater in 2022. He will be raising money again this year. Orwin has had success in running 100-mile-races and 24-hour-events, and this year will be race director for a 24-hour-event, “Northeast Ohio 24 Hour Run."
Why Larry Runs:
Breakthrough's Woodland Hills Campus lacks a gymnasium right now, but we're determined to change that.
Larry understands physical activity's vital role in a child's life. Physical activity has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels in children, which can positively impact their ability to learn and retain information.
Larry uniquely championed this cause by taking on the challenge of the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon in Death Valley to raise funds to finish the funding for this project.
Donate to Larry's Goal
About Larry
Larry Orwin is a resident of Chagrin Falls. Married with two adult children, he recently retired after a 42 year career of technology sales and sales leadership, most recently with Google. During his career, he participated in two start ups, with one successfully exited with a sale to a large, publicly held company.
Larry has served proudly, for the past six years, on the Board of Directors for Friends of Breakthrough Schools, providing access to high quality education choices for children in the City of Cleveland.
A runner since 1975, in high school and at Michigan State, his true passion is long distance running. He is a world-ranked ultra distance runner where he specializes in 24-hour, fixed time races as well as 100-mile races. He has competed in iconic races like the Keys100 and the Badwater135 as well as more than thirty 100-mile races. Larry holds the record for the 2nd fastest 100-mile time in the world for anyone over 60, achieved at the Jackpot 100 in Las Vegas this past February (According to DUV statistics)
Photos of Badwater 2022 courtesy of Larry Orwin