British endurance athlete William Goodge is running across the United States — averaging 50 miles a day — to raise funds for cancer research.
Goodge’s path across America takes him on old Route 66 in Arizona and Kansas and parts of California, Oklahoma and Missouri. His path takes him roughly on the Bunion Derby race of the 1920s.
He started running from Huntington Beach, California, on April 2, and he’s scheduled to reach Central Park in New York City by June 4 after 3,175 miles. He was set to reach the California-Arizona border today.
Goodge has a personal stake in this quest: His mother died of cancer five years ago. His goal is 500,000 pounds. He’s raised just short of 3,300 so far.
The Southwark News in his home country reported:
When asked about his reasons for completing this epic challenge for Macmillan, he said: “The Macmillan nurses who work within the hospital where my mum had most of her treatment were always there for her when she was diagnosed with cancer.
“Knowing there is an available support system for the cancer patient and the family too was incredible. It’s a tough time for so many people and I found comfort even knowing there was support available if I or my family needed it. Everyone I’ve met in Macmillan has a true heart of gold and the work they do every day is beyond important.
“6,000 people have summited Everest, but only 300 people have run across the US. I’ve run the length of the UK, and I’ve run 250km through the Sahara Desert, yet these were nothing compared to what I’m about to do. But what I will be going through will still be nothing compared to what my mum went through and what other cancer patients are going through and so I’m doing it for them.
“I know I’ll succeed, even if I have to crawl to get it done…nothing can stop me. All my previous challenges have been the perfect build-up to what I’m about to do and I’m totally ready for this.”
Goodge posted his first video from the road this week:
If you want to donate to the cause, the official link is below to do so:
(Image of William Goodge running in Victorville, California, via Facebook)