The GutCheck 2-12 is a bicycle race across the state of South Dakota that helps raise money for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. This year, a Brookings man became the first person with the disease to complete the 412 mile journey.

When Jason Harms hits the road he prefers two wheels instead of four. This year, Harms decided to take his passion for peddling a lot further at home and even while vacationing in Ontario, Canada.

"I trained all summer and put on a couple thousand miles." Harms said.

When Harms ran out of road, he would load his bike on a boat to continue his training rides.

"I tried to build up my miles each week and got up to 270 miles in 48 hours," Harms said.

But he would need to ride more than 400 miles in 48 hours to complete the GutCheck 212, an endurance race that follows Highway 212 across the entire state of South Dakota.

Sunny skies greeted the riders at the Wyoming boarder which created perfect riding conditions at the beginning of the race.

"We took turns cutting the wind for each other, we did 70 miles and averaged about 21 miles an hour and that was pretty quick," Harms said.

A few hours later, the pack would spread out and the pace would slow down and it wasn't long before Harms started feeling every bump along Highway 212.

"My back got sore so I switched to my recumbent trike," Harms said.

Having an extra wheel on the road may have helped relieve the back pain but Harms still had another health issue to be concerned about.

"It kind of comes and goes on a whim. Some people, it's stress, some people it's what they eat that kind of brings stuff on - it's really hard to tell"

About two years ago Harms was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis - a chronic, sometimes debilitating disease of the colon, or large intestine.

"I've got to watch what I eat a little bit. It's gotten better," Harms said.

Harms has been in remission for about a year now, but still has to be concerned about flare-ups from time to time, except when he's on his bike.

"When I'm on my bike it usually doesn't bother me. Like the burning in the stomach, I don't really notice that when I'm on my bike so apparently the exercise seems to help it," Harms said.

Riders have 48 hours to complete the 412 mile GutCheck race. Harms did it with about five hours to spare. With his wife and family members following closely behind, counting down the miles and wondering how long Harms would last.

"I think she was a little bit better than my parents though. My parents had some doubts if I could make it that far," Harms said.

Harms admits he also had some doubts.

"I only trained up to 270 miles so I thought I could do somewhere over 300, but 400? You just don't know," Harms said.

But 43 hours after he started, Harms crossed the finish-line at the Minnesota border, and in doing so, became the first person with Crohn's or Colitis to compete and complete the GutCheck 212.

Jon Wilson: Was it hard on you?
Harms: Yes it was, for the next two days I could hardly walk.

This year's race produced four "firsts", if you will.

Sixty-two-year-old Karl Krueger from rural Ethan became the oldest and only person to complete the Hell and Back portion of the ride. Crossing the state not once, but twice in just 93 hours. Jason Harms is the first person with Ulcerative Colitis to complete the ride. Jessica Walker, the first female to complete the solo ride across South Dakota. And Jeremy Thomas of Rapid City becomes the first amputee to complete the solo portion of the GutCheck. Proving almost anything is possible if you have the guts to try.

"It was amazing. I could hardly believe I could do something like that," Harms said.

Riders raised over $5,000 for the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America. Harms says he will take next year off then maybe give it another try in 2011.

www.gutcheck212.com