Kim lives and loves to play outside. She can be found working in her vast garden, walking Cash, the golden retriever, fishing with her family, and pedaling through some of the most storied terrain in the Western U.S. and Canada.

Lori is a lifelong athlete. A decorated basketball player in high school and college, Lori became a marathon runner in her 30s and has run numerous road races, including completing 12 consecutive Boston Marathons and two 50-mile distance ultramarathons. In her 50s, Lori joined the world of triathlon, a pursuit perfect for her talents as she excelled to the highest honors of completing 6 Ironman triathlons, including the Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2019. She earned an All-World Ironman bronze designation in 2019.

Through her triathlon training, Lori became a strong and avid cyclist. While she has completed several endurance distance events, the 2022 Race Across America will be her longest ride and most challenging race to date. With a healthcare career spanning over 30 years in North Dakota, Lori recognizes the need for quality end-of-life care and is excited to support the mission of Gaia Home.

Fun Fact: In 1981 Lori was named the North Dakota high school female athlete of the year and honored again in 1983 as the North Dakota college female athlete of the year.

The only thing that Melanie loves more than riding her bike is getting other folks riding bikes, too! Melanie’s life goal is to build healthier and happier communities by educating and inspiring others to become more mindful and active. Her passion for cycling and mentoring others to reach their fitness goals has helped build Bismarck/Mandan and North Dakota’s cycling and triathlon community.

She is a six-time All American triathlete, a physical therapist, wellbeing speaker, worksite wellness consultant, and author of “Running with the Antelope: Life, Fitness, and Grit on the Northern Plains.” As a certified RETUL bike fit professional at 701 Cycle & Sport in Bismarck and a master cycle trainer for Team ICG North America, she keeps the cycling community going strong.

Melanie is excited to be a part of 2022 Race Across America as an ambassador for North Dakota and is eager to raise awareness and funding for Gaia Home, knowing it will offer families comfort and support in end-of-life care.

Fun Fact: Melanie warms up for her Sunday rides by playing piano for services at Corpus Christi church.

Always on a bike as a kid, Kilee learned slow-twitch muscles are her friends as they led her into the world of endurance events. Her love of cycling blossomed at the age of 18 while exploring North Dakota’s beautiful badlands on the Maah Daah Hey trail. Eventually she began road cycling and triathlon, competing in shorter races throughout her 20s. As her affection for cycling and triathlon grew, so too did the distances, and she is now a two-time Ironman Wisconsin finisher.

As the executive director for Gaia Home, the 2022 Race Across America will be her most challenging and rewarding race to date. She is passionate about ensuring Gaia Home becomes reality as it provides a solution for the gap in end-of-life care that currently exists in our community and state, giving families and their loved ones the opportunity to receive compassionate care while living the final season of life together in a true home setting, making lasting memories.

Fun fact: Kilee’s must have for every ride…a tube of chapstick. She can’t pedal without it!

Karin is a seasoned cyclist, and a cross-country bike ride (or race!) has long been on her bucket list.

A competitive swimmer since childhood, Karin transitioned to triathlon in her late 20s, going on to participate in hundreds of races at all multi-sport distances over the last two and a half decades. A frequent USAT Nationals qualifier, Karin is a 70.3 and Ironman podium finisher who earned an All-World Ironman silver designation in 2019. She currently holds the Chisago Lakes Women’s Aquabike course record, set in July 2021.

While Karin has pedaled in numerous multi-day cycling events, the 2022 Race Across America easily represents the most difficult challenge of her endurance racing career. Blessed by parents going strong and healthy into their 90s, Karin is eager to support Gaia Home, recognizing our community’s need of a comfortable, homey place for families to enjoy special time together during the final season of life.

Fun fact: Karin binges on Animal Planet shows, especially the early episodes of “Meerkat Manor,” on long indoor trainer rides.