Moon Jogger to Run from LA
to NY in 50 Days
Ultramarathoner Aims for
Masters’ Record
Los Angeles – Sept. 16, 2013 – New Zealander Perry
Newburn, an ultramarathon runner and Moon Jogger, officially announced today
his attempt at the Masters’ record for running from Los Angeles to New York in
the shortest time, a distance of approximately 2,800 miles. Newburn plans to
begin his run in early April 2014.
The current Masters’ record (runners aged 40 and older)
for the distance is 52 days. Newburn is expected to average a remarkable 58
miles a day, propelling him across the country in just 50 days. No stranger to
grueling runs, he circumvented New Zealand, a distance of around 3,100 miles, in
70 days last year.
“I turn 60 next September, so I wanted to do something
in 2014 that would push me,” said Newburn. “After running around New Zealand,
there wasn’t anything left of that magnitude here. But I followed Dean Karnazes
when he ran across the U.S. and read Marshall Ulrich’s book of his
record-breaking run, so this has been a dream of mine for a few years. Doing a
little good along the way and inspiring a few would-be runners to become
life-long runners will be an added bonus.”
Perry’s Run: America in 50 Days will raise funds for
The Little Heroes Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the mental
and physical well being of children throughout the world, as part of an
on-going partnership with the Moon Joggers. The Moon Joggers are an
international running group dedicated to connecting and challenging all human beings on
planet earth to start running and to boldly run where no one has run before.
Scattered around the World in more
than 40 countries, Moon Joggers in the U.S. will join Newburn on legs of his
journey to cheer him on and offer running support. Additionally, the
organization will host a virtual 100-mile challenge run in October to raise
funds for Perry’s Run.
“I have 1,400 running buddies,” Newburn said. “I’m guessing
not many people can say that, but it’s one of the perks of being a Moon Jogger.
There’s always some one who’s there to root for you. I’m thrilled to be able to
meet some of them in person and honored that they will be taking this journey
with me.”
Members of the public, running groups and sponsors are
also encouraged to join Newburn on his run for as many miles as they feel
comfortable pursuing. A map of Newburn’s route and estimated dates of arrival
for route landmarks will be posted on the Moon Joggers’ website.
To learn more about the Moon Joggers or sponsorship
opportunities for Perry’s Run visit www.moonjoggers.com.
# # #
About the Moon Joggers
The
Moon Joggers are a global running community for people of all ages and fitness
levels dedicated to connecting
and challenging all human beings on planet earth to start running and to boldly
run where no one has run before. Started in
January 2013, the Moon Joggers are the brainchild of Angie and Ashley Webb. The
group was originally formed to encourage themselves and a few fellow runners to
reach their running goals by collectively “running to the moon.” In the matter
of months the group went from a handful of runners to more than 1,400 runners
in 40 countries. On May 23, 2013 the group made their first successful “moon
landing” by completing 238,857 miles. After making a few laps
around the moon, the group is currently on its way back and gearing up for their
Voyage to Venus (approximately 25 million miles away at its closest point) in
2014.
About The Little Heroes Foundation
The
Little Heroes Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to
improve the mental and physical well being of children throughout the world by
serving, supporting and enhancing human life. To learn more about the projects,
grants and other ways in which The Little Heroes Foundation improves the lives
of children, visit
www.littleheroesfoundation.org.