COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 25, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Vector Marketing sales representative Raymond Ciafardini Jr. recently went the extra mile to help a charity he loves. 43.78 miles, to be exact. In July, 33-year-old Ciafardini competed in an ultramarathon: Port Royal, South Carolina's Cremator Ultra 50 Mile Endurance Race. Ciafardini raised more than $1,000 for the Front Row Foundation. The nonprofit organization gives front-row seats at entertainment events to people facing critical health challenges. Ciafardini ran the entire race in Xero Shoes sandals, popular with so-called "barefoot" runners.
Ciafardini works for Vector Marketing, the sales arm of Cutco Cutlery, and plans to train for a 100-mile race in 2017. A Columbia, South Carolina-based sales representative, Ciafardini has sold more than $374,000 of Cutco in his career and is ranked 278 in company sales history. He is passionate about both his work and fitness -- which makes sense as he enjoys participating in charity marathons. He says his flexible Vector schedule has allowed him the time to train in excess of 40 miles some weeks. Raising money for charitable organizations seemed like a natural extension of his philanthropic efforts, says Ciafardini. "Because I was living life in the front row, I wanted to help others do the same," he says.
In his ultramarathon journey this year, he first completed March's Run Hard Marathon in Columbia, South Carolina. He next ran the Cremator 50, going nearly 44 miles before problems with his Iliotibial (IT) band forced him to stop just shy of the 50-mile finish line. Ciafardini said he was frustrated that he had to stop, but he is proud of the money he raised for the Front Row Foundation. And he's excited to go greater distances in future charity-based marathons and events.
"By pushing the limit and testing his capacity, Ray reminds us all that we're able to handle more than we ever thought possible if we just keep putting one foot in front of the other," said Front Row founder Jon Vroman.
About Vector Marketing:
Vector Marketing is the sales arm for Cutco Cutlery, a 65-year-old company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Olean, New York. Vector sells Cutco through a national team of college students, who are trained to do in-home and virtual demonstrations on a pre-set basis.Vector Marketing has over 200 locations nationwide and works with students of all majors with little-to-no professional experience.
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