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RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge: Grant Niver

RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge: Grant Niver

Grant and his trusty GoPro camera conquer the famed Rocky steps!

On May 18th, a group of 20 Team Fox members will traverse the Grand Canyon in one day- travelling 24 miles and scaling over 6,000 vertical feet- in support of Parkinson's research. Dubbed the RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge, this adventure aims to collectively raise $100,000 for Team Fox. With less than two weeks to go, we checked in with RIM2RIM team member Grant Niver to see how things have been coming along!


Name: Grant Niver
Age: 24
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota by way of Wasilla, Alaska

Team Fox: Hiking 24 miles in one day while scaling over 6,000 vertical feet is no small task! What was your inspiration for deciding to take on the RIM2RIM Grand Canyon Challenge?

Grant Niver: Thanks for the reminder of just how far we will be going in two weeks, uffda! My inspiration to take on RIM2RIM, as always, is my mom Roberta (Berta Bear) Niver. Her strength and refusal to give into PD is my inspiration as she inspires me to always challenge myself no matter what the circumstances or barriers against me!

We bet you’ve had to get a bit creative to physically prepare for this trip. Share your training regimen with us!

Preparing for the RIM2RIM has been an interesting challenge since, despite my Google efforts, I haven’t been able to locate a “how-to” run the Grand Canyon training plan. One might ask, how exactly do I train for the steep and uncertain terrain in the oh-so-flat Midwest? From long bike rides, long runs and long hikes (can you notice my training theme of ‘long’), I have tried to divide my workouts as much as possible to keep my mind fresh. My training consists heavily of biking, since it’s my sole mode of transportation in Minneapolis, along with what feels like never ending runs and countless hours in the gym sculpting my guns. Not to mention running the ‘Rocky Stairs’ in Philadelphia. If I can do what Rocky did then the Grand Canyon should be a breeze, am I right? 

Is this your first visit to the Grand Canyon?  What are you most looking forward to about seeing it from this unique vantage point?

This will be my first visit to the Grand Canyon, but I am not sure how I will feel when I finally lay my eyes on it for the first time, “no seriously guys, we are going alllllll the way across this thing?” I won’t lie, I am also looking forward to all of the great ‘Canyon’ GoPro pictures I am going to be able to take with my TeamFox teammates! Feel free to check out my Instagram for further proof (@grantaniver #shamelessplug).

RIM2RIM is your first Team Fox event! Any ideas for your next fundraising adventure?!

Rim2Rim is the first of what I plan to be a lifetime of TeamFox events (I take that back, until we find the cure)! My dream is to bike across the United States for Parkinson’s research funding and awareness. In the near future however, I plan on participating in the Chicago Half Marathon with TeamFox in September. #GoTeamFox

Favorite snack you’ll be carrying in your pack to get you through the long hike?

Other than water, my backpack will be filled with Cliff bars and of course, trail mix!

Thanks for your insights, Grant! We can't wait to see all these fancy GoPro camera shots you've promised us! Interested in taking on your own adventure in support of Team Fox? Join us today.

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