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OCILLA, GA. --
A 71-year-old athlete has made a stop in the southwest Georgia area to help raise funds for injured veterans.

Rick Hermelin is using his ElliptiGo bicycle to run from one end of the country to the other. On the machine, he's able to tally about 33 miles a day.

Hermelin started in Parris Island, South Carolina and will make his final stop in San Diego, California.

Thursday he took shelter with firefighters in Ocilla, Georgia. Along his 100 day long trip he plans to visit Mobile, Alabama, Austin, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona.

Funds raised during the "100 Days for the Corps" challenge will be donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund.

“That makes me feel good to be able to give back because I was in the Marine Corps myself, but I suffered no injuries. I've been healthy all my life, so it's nice to be able to give back and help somebody else,” says runner Rick Hermelin.

The Semper Fi fund helps support veterans and their families through rehabilitation.