Ride on Ryan: Let Go. Live Life.
Ride on Ryan: Let Go. Live Life.
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Pura Vida! Those two small words became the very essence of how Ryan Christopher Williams chose to live his life: purelyβ¦simplyβ¦to live it with a world of passion.
Long before his untimely death in 2013 at the young age of 32, Ryan decided to let go and live life to the fullest. Stacie New, executive coordinator of the annual Ride on Ryan (ROR), will always remember her younger brother Ryanβs passion for life, his beautiful nature and his heartβthe heart of a true champion.
ROR is scheduled to take place on April 13, 2024, at L Scott Stell Park in Savannah.
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Though Ryan had worked in his family business for some time, he always knew that he wanted to take part in the fitness industry. Over time, Ryan became increasingly interested in triathlons, and he began to compete.
A triathlon is an βendurance multisport that consists of swimming, biking and running; triathletes compete for fastest overall completion times, racing each segment sequentially with time transitioning between the disciplines.β Ryan not only competed in the contestsβhe usually won.
A trip to Colombia, South America, changed his life forever. While there, he noticed the tremendous poverty of the area he was visiting. Ryan was amazed that the citizens seemed happy and content in spite of their seemingly bleak circumstances.
Moreover, he noticed a common phrase consistently used among the people: Pura Vida. He heard it everywhere. When he inquired of the meaning, he was told that the Costa Rican phrase simply means βpure life,β suggesting that individuals should strive to be βfull of lifeβ and enjoy the βsimple life.β Essentially, it is a βphilosophy that encourages the gratitude of lifeβs simple pleasures.β
On that trip, Ryan decided that he wanted to do more than just participate in triathlons. He wanted to coach triathletes.
βHe came back with a whole new attitude. He wanted to live life to the fullest. He wanted to live life passionatelyβto let go and live life. He changed his life right then and there and started doing just that,β Stacie says.
Ryan traveled back home to the local area. Upon founding Ryan Williams Multisport, Inc., he began coaching triathletes in Savannah. Triathlons were not very popular in the area, so Ryan often traveled with his clients, frequenting other training and event locations. He eventually turned his sights to Miami, Florida, and established a coaching business there, as it was a heavy triathlon market. Ryan often traveled back and forth between Miami and Savannah.
After an incredibly busy coaching and training period, Ryan returned home to Savannah for a weekend. During that time, the unthinkable happenedβRyan passed away in his sleep. It was later found that he suffered from an enlarged heart, unbeknownst to Ryan and his family at the time. This overwhelming shock and heartache took the family by storm.
βIt was so sad. He was only 32-years-old when he passed awayβsuper young and super fit; he was a good-looking guy,β Stacie says.
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Following his death, Ryanβs family wanted to keep his memory alive. Ryanβs dad Fred Williams envisioned a remarkable way to honor his son, and he felt confident Ryan would appreciate itβhe sought to host an annual triathlon.
In 2014, Ride on Ryan was born. The family supported the inspiring idea. Further, Stacie was asked to spearhead the initiative. Her family knew that she was best qualified to take the reins, as Stacie was already an aerobics instructor and fitness enthusiast.
Stacie recalls that the first year of ROR was a lot of learning and adjusting to the new venture. She was thankful to have the assistance of her sister, Stevie Stockwell, during that time. Her dad invested all of the money for the ROR that year; it turned out to be a relatively small-scale event. Stacie knew that she wanted ROR to grow and to be a community-based event.
βI wanted it to grow. I wanted it to work,β she says.
The second year looked much better. ROR started growing and doing well. She enlisted the assistance of Tomeka Barron, who has maintained a true heart for the entire cause. Pura Vida has been the overall vibe of the race.
βItβs on our shirts and on our medals. We try to take that whole feeling and put it into the event. Thatβs how we try to honor Ryan; we want people to take that message home with them,β Stacie insists.
Ryanβs light shined brightly in the lives of his family while he was on this earth. For Stacie, he was a phenomenal, motivating force in her life.
βHe was my go-to. Every year, ROR regenerates that βlet go and live lifeβ feeling with me and reminds me and my family of his goodness. Every year, it motivates me when I see my family out there; I just feel him,β she says.
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The ROR is a sprint triathlon, which has shorter durations than other triathlons. There are immediate transitions between each course, making every moment count. Participants begin by swimming 500 yards; upon completion of the swimming course, they immediately transition to a 13.1 mile cycling course, and they lastly transition into a 3.1 mile (5K) running course.
ROR also offers a duathlon for athletes who do not want to participate in the swimming portion of the event. Duathletes run a one-mile course and then immediately transition to a 13.1 mile cycling course; afterward, they finish by running 3.1 miles.
In addition, ROR offers its athletes a third option: a relay team. This is where one competitor swims or does a fast run; afterward, another cycles, and the last participant runs for 3.1 miles.
Last year, nearly 200 athletes participated in the entire event. So far, participation numbers for this yearβs event are looking good. Interestingly enough, most participants are not residents of the local area; in fact, some have been out-of-country participants.
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Registration for this past year was really good. The nonprofit made $10,000. Its primary charity is the YMCA, specifically the Habersham and West Chatham divisions. Of the $10,000, they gave $5,000 to the Habersham YMCA and $5,000 to the West Chatham YMCA.
βRyan was a Y-kid. Growing up, we lived close to the Habersham Y; he was in the after-school programs, and he was involved in all the sports,β Stacie says.
Stacie has long appreciated all the programs that the organization provides for both children and adults, whether serving individuals with special needs, providing youth development programs or supporting cancer survivors, to name a few.
βItβs not just a gym. It was a given that this would be our charity. Every year, that is where the money goes. Thatβs the point of the race. Itβs great to give money to the Y. The most awesome thing is to see Ryan coming through and affecting people still,β she states.
Further, the organization helps to promote the ROR and kindly donates their time and support by providing the event with lifeguards for the entire day.
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Stacie is thankful for the numerous sponsors that support ROR.
Sponsorship amounts are: Gold Level: $500 and up; Silver Level: $300; Bronze Level: $150.
βSponsors make all the difference,β Stacie says.
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The ROR has turned out to be a truly heartfelt way for his family to remember such a priceless young man. It, too, has proved to be a remarkable way for his family to turn their grief into goodness as they continue to positively impact the lives of so many others.
Stacie is certainly appreciative for her family; they have rallied behind her and her efforts in this. She is grateful for her dad Fred and stepmom Janice Williams, whose love, support and generosity have made all the difference in the world. She appreciates her loving sister Stevie, who also played an instrumental role in the ROR being established. Her brothers Freddie Williams and Wallace Williams have been true assets, offering their strength and support over the years.
Looking ahead, Stacie would certainly like to see the event grow even more, thus continuing to keep Ryanβs beautiful memory alive.
βI would like to see it grow to honor him and also for the Y, helping all the programs for the children. If it grows into something bigger and bigger every year, even when Iβm not here any longer, that will be a milestone β¦ a legacy for him,β she states.
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Anyone interested in donating to ROR or participating in the event is encouraged to visit the website to register: www.rideonryan.com. Additional information about the event can be found on the organizationβs Facebook Page or via Instagram: @rideonryan.
As Ryan himself advised on the very last Facebook post that he would ever make: βLife is short. Live it passionately.β And that he did.
