Running Across America – The SeeJohnRun Newsletter

Posted on the Ultralist:

Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2006 16:11:03 -0800
From: John H Wallace III
Subject: Run #6201 Post #0040: Running Across America Updates

Christian McEvoy recently completed his run across America on December 16. He raised well over $200,000 on his way to $1,000,000 to benefit cancer survivors and patients. Christian is the 173rd person to cross America and around the 25th supported journey runner. His is the 199th overall crossing which includes walkers, hikers, stilters, crutchers, and handers as well. He covered 3400.6 miles for an average of just over 20 miles a day. Visit http://www.coasttocoastrun.org for more information.

Out of the eight attempts this year only two were completed and one is still progressing I believe. Christian and Paul Staso join the list of intrepid travelers. This is definitely no easy task whether supported, unsupported, or whatever. I am slowly documenting crossings that came up short because those folks need some recognition as well.

A quick recap of this year’s attempts:
Dan Isaacson, attacked in Chicago and postponed finish until possibly 2007.
Paul Staso, finished on 10/20/06 covering 3,260 miles in under 119 days.
Christian McEvoy, finished on 12/16/06 covering 3,400.6 miles in 169 days.
Tom Walsh, completed 1,050 miles but stopped due to injuries and heat.
William Hibbard, did not start due to support RV fire.
Steve Bethune, injuries forced a transition to bicycle, finished 11/21/06.
Dean Karnazes, ran 1,254 miles in 27 running days but stopped to be at home.
Lansing Brewer, still out on the roads as far as I can tell, no website.

Using a free trial of a newspaper archiving service, I was able to track down some more information on early crossings. Updates will be available from my website soon but here is a quick rundown.
Helmut Schieke started on 4/27/71 and ended 6/25/71.
John Ball (not Bull) ran from 3/5/72 – 4/28/72.
John Lees walked from 4/13/72 – 6/6/72.
Tom Knoll ran from 7/13/83 – 9/15/83
Updated various distances and starting/ending points, added some birthdates.
Updated some of the categories such as walkers and supported.
Found information on locations crossers were living at and nationalities.
Added a distinction between “Elapsed Time with Time Zone Adjustment” and
“Unique Calendar Days Ran On”.

Would LOVE to find out more information on:
Bill Chapman (age/b-day, mileage run, start/end date from 1980)
Chris Devine (age/b-day, mileage run, start/end date from 1981)
Edward Kelley (b-day, start/end date from 1985)
Bill Schultz (b-day, start/end date from 1990)
Jesse Riley (start/end date from 1997)
And of course any other information (with sources) you can gather.

Just for fun, I wanted to find out who is the earliest crosser that is still alive and a few runners from the 1928 race would be in their upper 90s and lower 100s now. Andy Payne would have been 99 around now but died in 1977. Anyone have some anecdotal evidence of who the earliest (not necessarily oldest) crosser is?

Went overboard on information again but hopefully someone enjoys this.
Happy Holidays to all and have a great 2007!

John

http://www.seejohnrun.com
http://www.runeveryday.com


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3 Comments

  1. Author and therapist Richard Singer has recently signed an agreement with the Guiness Book of World Records to attempt to break a 27 year old record by crossing the United States in 46 days on foot. He will be benefiting 6 charities representation different aspects of life. 10% of his book sales royaqlties will also be donated to charity. He hopes to raise 1 million dollars and show the world what one person can do to make lasting changes. Richard is seeking donations for charity and to help fund this world record attempt. More about Richard please visit http://www.RickSinger.org

  2. I am the Bill Schultz that ran solo across the US in 1990. I left Newport Beach, CA, February 21, 1990 and finished May 26, 1990 in Atlantic City, NJ. I’d planned on 30 miles a day for 100 days and made it in 95. I was born April 15, 1952. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me. ( For the most part, I ran RT 66 to St’ Louis (I40 to Oklahoma City) and then ran old Rt 40 into PA.)

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