Courtesy photo Jillian Bejtlich Terry, of Litchfield, bikes in the area of Massabesic Lake and Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail while participating in a fundraising event she's doing throughout the month of May for her birthday.

LITCHFIELD – This year for her birthday, one local woman is pushing herself to not only go the extra mile, but bike an extra 100 miles for charity.

Jillian Bejtlich Terry of Litchfield has participated in a fundraiser and race every year for her birthday for the past few years and this is her first year biking as her birthday race. In past years, she has done stand up paddle board races, but given the current circumstances with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) she said it was tougher to do that this time around.

Terry also fell in love with biking this last year so it made sense for her to get involved with Cycle the Seacoast. 

“I usually try to pick a fundraiser that has something to do with a personal interest or a family interest,” Terry said. 

The 2020 Cycle the Seacoast event went virtual this year for people’s safety given the current circumstances. The fundraiser supports the American Lung Association and participants’ involvement is currently supporting COVID-19 research. 

Terry said the American Lung Association made a lot of sense for her to support because while she was growing up her brother had really bad asthma and was constantly in the hospital. He is much healthier now, but Terry believes this is a nice cause because it might help other people in those situations as well. 

Originally, there was a physical event set for May 3, but instead this virtual event which goes through June 30. Participants challenge themselves to complete 25, 50 or 100 miles by that time, but Terry has decided to go above and beyond by biking 200 miles. 

When Terry was turning 30 it seemed like a good excuse for her to do something new, and so this fundraising tradition took off. Today, May 15, she will celebrate her 33rd birthday. 

“I decided to make the entire month of May a challenge and so I’m actually personally trying to do 200 miles this month, which is way more than I need to do, but it’s kind of a fun idea,” Terry said. “So, right now I am about 75 miles into my 200 miles.” 

She has been biking every day for two weeks now while trying to explore locally as much as she can. All of her bike rides have been close to home, which Terry said has been a cool opportunity to learn more about the area she lives in and check out trails she has never looked at. 

Terry has committed to fundraising $400 and has raised $315 so far.

Additionally, she is switching her rides up by doing both road cycling and mountain biking. 

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.