Ray Ray the Cat: Unofficial Finisher of the Clarence DeMar Marathon

Have you heard about Ray Ray, the cat who hitched a 100-mile ride on his family’s van roof to finish the Clarence DeMar Marathon in New Hampshire?

Yes, you read that right. A cat. On a van roof. For 100 miles. To get to a Chronotrack-timed marathon. And then he crossed the finish line in his dads arms.

The Journey

The Denardo family from Kittanning, Pennsylvania, thought they had everything under control for their New Hampshire-New York vacation. Bags packed, pets secured safely at home, van loaded and ready to roll.

Ray Ray had other plans.

Somehow, the adventurous cat escaped the house and jumped onto the roof of the family van as they pulled out. For the next two hours and 100 miles, Ray Ray held on through highway speeds, wind, bumpy roads, and sharp turns.

“We had driven for two hours and needed to stop for gas,” Mara Denardo told KDKA. “My husband gets out of the car obviously to pump gas and is like ‘the cat is on the roof.'”

After the initial panic and shock wore off, the family made a decision: Ray Ray was already this committed to the trip, so he was coming with them.

Marathon Day

Ray Ray’s impromptu road trip culminated at the Clarence DeMar Marathon in New Hampshire. After traveling 100 miles on a van roof to be there, Ray Ray wasn’t about to just watch from the sidelines.

Ray Ray wasn’t registered. He didn’t get a bib. But after surviving two hours on top of a moving vehicle to get there, he definitely earned his spot at the finish line.

His dad carried him across, making Ray Ray an unofficial finisher of the Clarence DeMar Marathon.

The adventure continued through the streets of New York City, with Mara documenting the entire journey.

Congratulations to all the finishers at the Clarence DeMar Marathon, especially Ray Ray (and his dad)—the most committed feline we’ve ever seen.

Have a memorable race day story? We’d love to hear it! Share your moments with us at marketing@chronotrack.com.