This past weekend in Vernon, NJ, my bruzin Rome completed something that deserves more than just a shoutout — he knocked out the Spartan Trifecta in a single weekend. For those who don’t know, that means he finished the Beast on Saturday (13+ miles, over 30 obstacles), then came back on Sunday and crushed the Super (6+ miles) and the Sprint (4+ miles). That’s more than 22 miles and 75 obstacles total, all at high elevation and tough terrain. Trust me, these are not regular miles. He did it in about 10 hours. And that’s just wild.
But this isn’t just about the stats. This is about who he is.
Rome is from West Philly, just like me. We grew up playing football in the street, wherever there was space — corners, parks, sidewalks. Cobbs Creek was our second home. Back then, it was all about fun and bragging rights. We didn’t know it, but that was the beginning of building grit — and Rome always had it.
He’s two years older than me, but it’s always felt like we came up side-by-side. Our parents are siblings, so we were around each other constantly. And from early on, Rome stepped into that role of being a big cousin — not in a loud or bossy way, but just solid. Supportive. Always encouraging. Always showing up. Always pulling the best out of me.
A Leader in Life
Over the years, Rome has become more than just my cousin. He’s a friend, a brother, a mentor, a father, a godfather — and a real leader in every sense. He’s the one I talk to every day about my problems. He’s prayed over me more times than I’ve probably prayed for myself. He’s given me words that stuck when I needed direction, and he’s held me up through every chapter of life.
A lot of people talk about being there — Rome is there. Every time.
That’s why seeing him take on these races and keep pushing himself — it means something deeper. It’s not just physical; it’s mental. Spiritual. He taps into a level that’s bigger than the race itself. You see the focus, the faith, the discipline, and the heart he puts into it. And it pushes everyone around him to level up too.
But if you go up there with him, he’s leaving your ass after about 1 mile.
The Stats Speak for Themselves
Rome’s been in this Spartan world heavy. He’s completed 11 races. His total lifetime Spartan distance is over 134 kilometers. He’s completed 204 out of 219 obstacles. Total race time? 39 hours and 42 minutes. Let that sink in — that’s over a day and a half of pure movement. No breaks. No shortcuts.
This past weekend, his numbers were next level:
- Beast – 6 hours, 12 minutes
- Super – 2 hours, 48 minutes (placed 740th overall — fast)
- Sprint – 2 hours, 18 minutes, and he did that one with his family, likely sore and still helping others get through it
For perspective, I ran the Beast at Vernon before — my best time there was 7 hours, 23 minutes. This year’s course was one of the hardest they’ve had at that venue, and Rome still finished strong.
He’s also completed three full Trifectas so far. I tried the one-weekend Trifecta last year — couldn’t finish. It’s no joke. But Rome? He got it done.
(He did say it felt like he got sniped in the legs afterward — but hey, that’s part of the story.)
What Really Matters
As much as I’m proud of the race times and medals, what I’m most proud of is the way Rome shows up in life. He’s the oldest of his siblings, and from early on, he carried that weight with grace. He’s been a steady presence, setting the example and holding people together — whether it was family stuff, friendships, or just being someone people could count on.
Watching him grow into the man he is today — strong in his faith, rooted in his purpose, and full of love for his people — it’s been a blessing. I don’t take that for granted. And I wanted to take a moment, not just to say congrats, but to let the world know how much he means to me and how much he inspires me.
We’ve played every sport together — football, basketball, you name it. We’ve ridden bikes across every inch of West Philly. But these races? These obstacle courses? That’s Rome’s zone. It brings out the best in him — and reminds the rest of us what’s possible when you commit.
Final Words
Rome, if you’re reading this — thank you. For being consistent. For being real. For showing me and so many others what hard work, faith, and brotherhood look like. You don’t do it for attention, but people notice. I notice. And I just want you to know how much I appreciate you.
You’ve done something that most people will never even attempt — not just in Spartan races, but in life. You keep showing up, keep pushing, and keep lifting others as you climb.
Congrats on the Trifecta, and more importantly — thank you for being the man you are.
#TheWayToHustle #SpartanTrifecta #WestPhillyStrong #FamilyFirst #BuiltDifferent
WOW! Just wow. An amazing article by an even more amazing person. #TeamVibranium ^^