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Rob Pope has embarked on an enormous journey, running across the United States to raise both funds and awareness for causes he really believes in - Peace Direct and the World Wildlife Fund.  

He's already crossed the nation FOUR TIMES, running from Mobile, Alabama all the way to Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California.  He turned around and ran even further back across some 18 states to the Marshall Point Lighthouse in Maine.  When he got there, he turned around and kept on running! He then became the first person ever to run across the United States of America three times in a year since completing his third crossing in September 2017.  He's run over 15,000 miles so far and has begun the FIFTH leg of his run.

It's a huge distance - America is over 100 marathons wide - and Rob needs your support, so please check out the charities, make a donation, and if you're in the area, cheer him on! Maybe you could even join him for a run?

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WHERE'S ROB TODAY?

 

The schedule

  • 1ST STAGE: BEAUFORT, SC - YEMASSEE - VARNVILLE - ALLANDALE - SARDIS, GA - WRENS - SPARTA - MADISON - CONYERS - MARIETTA
  • 2ND STAGE (14TH JAN TO 20TH JAN): MARIETTA, GA - DALLAS - CEDARTOWN - CENTRE, AL - ALBERTVILLE - DECATUR - DANVILLE - MUSCLE SHOALS
  • 3RD STAGE - Whoooaaahhh - SO WAY BEHIND! CAN ONLY UPDATE PAGE WHEN I'M ON A PROPER COMPUTER, NOT MY PHONE. I'VE JUST GONE THROUGH OKLAHOMA CITY - HEADING TOWARDS AMARILLO, TX!
  • 4TH STAGE - JEEEEEZ. THAT WAS A DOOZY. FOOD POISONING, A FAILED MISSION TO RETRIEVE JENNY, A SEVERE RECURRENCE OF MY GROIN INJURY...BUT... GOT TO ADRIAN, TX - TUCUMCARI, NM - SANTA ROSA - MORIARTY - ALBUQUERQUE - GRANTS - GALLUP - CHAMBERS, AZ - HOLBROOK - WINSLOW - TWIN ARROWS...
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Image: Athletics Australia

Image: Athletics Australia

About ROb

Rob Pope is an emergency veterinarian by night and runner by day.

No beginner marathon runner, Rob became the Australian Marathon Champion at the Australian Marathon Championships in 2015, won the Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in 2015 and 2016, where he ran a personal best of 2:27:13.

All of that said this is - by a very long margin - Rob's biggest challenge to date , with the equivalent of almost 100 marathons between the west and east coasts of the United States!

Rob would appreciate any and all support, so please donate, send messages of support or if you're in the area, cheer him on in person.

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World Wildlife Fund

The World Wildlife Fund is the world's leading conservation organisation, working in 100 countries and with close to 5 million members globally.

WWF's initiatives:

  • Forests - Conserve the world's most important forests
  • Oceans - Safeguard healthy oceans and marine livelihoods
  • Fresh water - Secure water for people and nature
  • Wildlife - Protect the world's most important species
  • Food - Double net food availability; freeze its footprint
  • Climate - Create a climate-resilient and zero-carbon world, powered by renewable energy

Peace Direct

Peace Direct believe that local people have the power to find their own solutions to conflict – and to build their own better futures.

In the world’s most fragile countries, Peace Direct seek out local peace-builders who are making a real difference – building peace from the grassroots up, preventing conflict in the places where it starts – locally - by disarming rebels, resettling refugees, healing communities, reviving economies. They work at great personal risk on crucial problems like child soldiers, women and conflict, youth and peace, political violence. They are the key to preventing conflicts and creating a lasting peace.

Peace Direct find them, fund them, and promote their work to those in the wider world who can help with finance or influence.

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Latest from social media

It's great being a @parkrun tourist! Especially when everyone and the weather are lovely! Thanks to all the Fairview parkrun runners and volunteers for making Tim Waterworth, Lewis Coldwell Ravic Smith and I so welcome. Great course with a cheeky hill! #fairview #parkrun #Dublin #freeforever #dubs www.goingthedistancerun.com #running #run #runner #runnersofinstagram #runchat #runultra #ultra #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #USA #transAmerica #instarunners #fitness #getoutdoors #road #WWF #peacedirect #Nike #goingthedistance #keepgoing #Forrest #Gump #forrestgump
So it's my birthday...and it's a big one! 40! Some of you have been keen and donated to my charities already, but I know the rest of you have been waiting to give me a present so I'd love it if you've been following the run if you could donate here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=goingthedistancerun&pageUrl=2 A tenner would be nice ($13USD, €11, $18AUD), but 40 would obviously be appropriately accepted! Myself, the WWF and Peace Direct thank you in advance! #birthday #donate #charity #40 #daddy #bee www.goingthedistancerun.com #running #run #runner #runnersofinstagram #runchat #runultra #ultra #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #USA #transAmerica #instarunners #fitness #getoutdoors #road #WWF #peacedirect #Nike #goingthedistance #keepgoing #Forrest #Gump #forrestgump
Never thought I'd be in @muscle_and_fitness magazine! All part of embracing the fitness thing as a whole - from someone who does lots of treadmill training, you realise it takes all sorts in the gym - we're all in it for similar but varied reasons! Love the body you're in! #lovethegym #gym #muscle #fitness #magazine #panorama #strong Thanks @marklaws2011 of @muscle_and_fitness_uk for the interview and for believing in me...and life in general. TFIM. www.goingthedistancerun.com #running #run #runner #runnersofinstagram #runchat #runultra #ultra #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #USA #transAmerica #instarunners #fitness #getoutdoors #road #WWF #peacedirect #Nike #goingthedistance #keepgoing #Forrest #Gump #forrestgump
Bloody hell, #Ireland is beautiful. Great 25k with my mate @eoin_r to the final resting place of Arthur Guinness. Good things come to those who run. @GuinnessIreland #Guinness #goodthingscometothosewhowait #Dublin #summer #arthursway www.goingthedistancerun.com #running #run #runner #runnersofinstagram #runchat #runultra #ultra #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #USA #transAmerica #instarunners #fitness #getoutdoors #road #WWF #peacedirect #Nike #goingthedistance #keepgoing #Forrest #Gump #forrestgump
I dunno if I quite make the band...they're pretty well sorted in the bass department...though if Dougie decides to shift to geetar? Maybe the third album when it gets all experimental 😂 @ink.washere @mrcoreyalexander @idougahole @todddorigo #ink #backtothenoise #heaven @tempusearthgala @tempusmagazine www.goingthedistancerun.com #running #run #runner #runnersofinstagram #runchat #runultra #ultra #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #USA #transAmerica #instarunners #fitness #getoutdoors #road #WWF #peacedirect #Nike #goingthedistance #keepgoing #Forrest #Gump #forrestgump
 
 
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How you can help

Sure running's great for getting from A to B (or AL to CA) but in this case it's serving a much more important purpose, and that's where you come in.

The aim of Rob's run is to raise awareness and funds for these two amazing causes - the World Wildlife Fund and Peace Direct - and every little bit helps.

So what can you do to help?

1. Share

With everyone! And often!

2. Donate

Everything helps and is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 
Image: World Wildlife Fund

Image: World Wildlife Fund

Image: Peace Direct

Image: Peace Direct

3. SUPPORT TEAM

Rob will be supported by his long-suffering girlfriend Nadine (Nadla) who will fill various roles such as driver, chef, psychologist, logistics manager and chief reader of bedtime stories. Follow her blog, which is far more interesting than that running guy's blog

We also hope to have friends joining us to help out on the way. Feel free to contact us if you fancy getting involved!

We would love any help from local people along the way including:

  • Physiotherapists/Sports therapists
  • Doctors, dentists, nurses
  • RV Park, gas station, convenience store, restauarant owners
  • Local media/marketing representatives
  • Friendly people with a spare bed/a big bowl of chilli that needs eating/somewhere to park

...and of course: RUNNERS!

We look forward to meeting you!

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Sponsors

Please support the wonderful sponsors of Rob's run, who are contributing to some terrific causes

If you'd like to get involved in company sponsorship , please get in touch via the contact page