-- Release provided by Marymount University Marketing and Communication

ARLINGTON, Va. -- On August 30, alumnus Collin Chartier '17 arrived in Washington D.C. to run the final stretch of a journey that took him 2,000 miles across the country. 

Surrounded by nine Marymount cross-country athletes and their coach, Chartier climbed the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, marking the completion of his "Running Home" project: a cross-country run from Colorado to Washington, D.C., focused on mental health, addiction recovery, and finding a sense of purpose beyond athletic achievement. 

For Chartier, the final stretch carried special significance. Marymount was where his athletic career began to take shape. A Fairfax native, Chartier attended W.T. Woodson High School before being recruited in 2013 to join Marymount's newly formed triathlon team. 

"I was originally a swimmer, but the coach convinced me to come and try triathlon," Chartier said. "The training was intense, with two practices a day, and it forced me to become good at swimming, biking, and running." 
At Marymount, Chartier studied health sciences, initially planning to become a physical therapist if his athletic aspirations didn't pan out. 

"I really enjoyed the health sciences program," Chartier said. "At other schools, you might just be a number. But it was cool to be able to work closely with my professors and have real relationships with them." 
By the time Chartier graduated with honors, his athletic career had taken him far beyond the Marymount campus. He became a professional triathlete competing on the world stage, and in 2022, he won both the Ironman Mont-Tremblant and the Professional Triathletes Organization (PTO) U.S. Open. 

But the following year brought a dramatic turning point. In March 2023, Chartier tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a performance-enhancing drug, and accepted a three-year ban from the International Testing Agency, barring him from competing in triathlons worldwide. 

"There was a lot of pressure inside for me to win, to be number one," Chartier said. "I was really lost in this pursuit of the goal. Every day was about me … and I lost a sense of who I was." 

The ban forced Chartier to confront a life built around athletic achievement. He eventually set off on a 10,000-mile bike ride from California to Colombia, giving himself time and space to reflect on what came next. 

"That trip shifted my mindset," Chartier said. "The people I met on my journey taught me so much. They didn't care what I did in my past; they cared about how I treated them. That was a big 'aha' moment for me. Realizing that my worth is not based on what I can achieve or what I have done, it's based on how I treat people now." 

That realization planted the seed for Running Home. 

"I spent several years running away from home, but I decided it was time to run back home," Chartier said. "I was intentionally trying to make this not about another accomplishment, being able to say I ran across the country. I wanted to make this about mental health and addiction recovery." 

Throughout the journey, Chartier stopped in communities nationwide to raise money and awareness for the Herren Project, a nonprofit founded by former NBA player Chris Herren that provides addiction recovery support. 

"When looking for charities to support, the Herren Project was my number one choice," Chartier said. "Chris Herren's story of addiction really aligns well with mine, and I wanted to help other people get access to addiction resources." 

After 79 days on the road, Chartier reached Northern Virginia and invited Marymount's cross-country team to join him for the final stretch into Washington, D.C. For Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach Max McNeil, the opportunity represented more than a memorable run. It was a chance for current athletes to connect with an alumnus who once stood where they do now. 

"Our program is not super old, and I find it really cool to have an alumnus who has accomplished so much who has a real connection to the program," McNeil said. "That's how small programs grow; they have strong alumni who give back." 

One runner, sophomore criminal justice and psychology double-major Gabriela Titone was excited to meet Chartier and see his journey come full circle. 

"It's cool to see someone who started out where I am, go on and accomplish all these great professional things," Titone said. "It's motivating and inspiring. It was a great atmosphere and great energy." 

Senior Elizabeth DellaCorte, a biology major and the women's cross country team captain, said she was grateful that Chartier gave the Marymount students a chance to experience the run with him.  

"I appreciated that Collin thought to include us," DellaCorte said. "When people go to a DIII school and they still do sports, they do it for the love of the game. They really want to be there and have opportunities to show what they can do." 

But it was not simply the opportunity to run alongside Chartier that stayed with DellaCorte. It was the way he approached the final miles of a journey that had already taken him thousands of miles. 

"When we showed up, I was expecting to see someone who was tired and ready to be done, but Collin was so confident and smiling the whole time," DellaCorte said. "You could tell this wasn't about crossing this run off his list; he was genuinely excited to do it, which I thought was super motivating." 

The enthusiasm followed DellaCorte beyond the run. Chartier's determination has inspired her to chase her own athletic goals.  

"Collin convinced me to start biking or running really long distances," DellaCorte said. "So, I might be taking a few biking trips up to Pennsylvania soon. I'd also like to run my first marathon, just as a personal goal." 

The experience also offered an opportunity for  McNeil and Chartier to learn from one another. As they ran together, they talked about their experiences in the sport and the lessons they try to pass on to athletes. 

"It was nice to have that reassurance of two coaches coming together," McNeil said. "We're trying to teach out athletes the same things, and it was cool to share that experience of trying to be good mentors." 

The conversation has already sparked plans for Chartier to return to Marymount to speak with the team and share more of his experiences. 

The final miles with Marymount brought Chartier's journey full circle, not simply because he was returning to the place where his athletic career began, but because he was able to share what he learned and turn his own experience into an opportunity to serve others. 

"I think the core values of what it means to be a Marymount Saint are part of this," Chartier said. "This trip is about service and giving back and sharing that with others."
 
For Chartier, running alongside his fellow Saints, made the end of his journey extra meaningful.  

"It means a lot to me to have other Marymount students be a part of this. That's the beauty of sports and running. It's not just for college or to achieve something; it's about connection and doing something amazing together."