Molli Serrano, a Plantation triathlete who competed in the Ironman World Championship a year and a half after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, died early Monday.
Mrs. Serrano, a mother of twins, was 40. She lived in South Florida all her life and was considered one of the best amateur triathletes in the country.
She made news in March 2012 when a deputy issued her a ticket while she was riding in Weston with a group of 30 cyclists. Her group came up on two slower riders and veered outside the bike lane to pass them. Soon after, a deputy cut off the entire group, pointed to her and told everyone else to take off while he wrote her a ticket.
When Mrs. Serrano asked why he chose her, she said the deputy told her it was because she stood out in the purple outfit she was wearing as a way to bring awareness to pancreatic cancer. Mrs. Serrano fought the $65 ticket in court but lost and ultimately had to pay $125.
Mrs. Serrano did not let her illness stop her. She became an inspiration for South Florida athletes after competing last November in the 34th Ironman in Hawaii ? a 140.6-mile journey that's the Super Bowl of triathlons, multiple-stage races that usually combine swimming, cycling and running.
The triathlete finished the race in 11 hours, 31 minutes and 38 seconds, placing 49th in the 35-39 age group and 1,148th overall among women. She crossed the finish line carrying a sign that read, "I'm beating pancreatic cancer with an Iron will."
"She took [cancer] on the same way she took on races ? she never gave up and she fought real hard," said friend and fellow triathlete Joey Perez. "People looked to Molli and said, 'I would like to be like you one day.' She was really out there to make a difference in this world."
Her husband, Juan Serrano, said she began cycling after they started dating at Florida Atlantic University in 1994.
"It was something I was into and she adopted but very quickly she surpassed my skill," he said, adding she loved rides that were "blazing fast and pushed her to her extreme."
"She was a phenomenal athlete. Her peers in the athletic community loved her and admired her for her strength and willingness to work very hard. She was an A-plus mom and even better than that, a first-class wife," Juan Serrano said.
He said dozens of cyclists planned to meet at 6 a.m. Tuesday in Weston to ride in honor of his wife.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Serrano is survived by her 9-year-old children Nicholas and Isabella. The family is still arranging funeral plans for this weekend.
hcarney@tribune.com or 954-356-4188
Source: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-molli-serrano-obit-20130715,0,3422692.story?track=rss
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