"Going through Montana has brought record heat, thunder and hail storms. It's been the adventure of a lifetime," said runner Greg Nance. "I want to enable positive community, staying healthy and not being alone for youth."
Runner Greg Nance stops for a photo op with his crew Alise Telford, media and logistics and Yoshi, massage and chiropractic care. "They keep me fueled, healthy and supported every step of the way," said Nance on Instagram.
HELMVILLE – While running across America, Greg Nance passed Helmville on Highway141 June 27 and spent the night in Seeley Lake. During an impromptu interview near the Highway 141 and Highway 200 junction, Nance shared his life passions and motivation for the adventure.
Beginning in Long Island, New York City April 25, Nance aims to finish July 17 at Ocean Shores, Washington. The journey is planned to take 85 days, running an average of 38 miles a day.
"Being naturally hard-headed and liking to do big, crazy stuff, running across the country was a dream I got at age 18," said Nance.
When Nance was 16, his grandfather died from a stroke. To numb the pain he felt from the loss, Nance began an unhealthy relationship with painkillers.
As Nance sought purpose in his life beyond alcohol or drugs, he saw others found purpose by helping others. Nance's passion became developing ways to help youth avoid the pit that he felt he had fallen into.
Nance realized that the only way he was going to realize the goal of running across the country would be to stay sober and keep working on himself. Running seriously became Nance's outlet at age 18 and he completed his first marathon while in college.
"For anyone looking to change their ways, the first step is always the hardest," Nance said. "But that first step could change your life."
Through college classes at the University of Chicago, Cambridge Judge Business School and meeting people, Nance began developing programs to help young people find scholarships through developing the Dyad Mentorship program. Today, Nance is the CEO and has helped college students earn over $27 Million in scholarships.
Before this journey across the United States, Nance has spent years adventuring by summiting peaks in mountain ranges around the world and completing the World Marathon Challenge in 2019, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.
As a way to combine the love of running and the desire to help young people, Nance decided it was time to run across the country and start the Run Far Foundation in February 2022.
The Run Far Foundation aims to create a network of mentors to support, encourage and guide youth. Funds raised are for youth-led volunteer projects in all 50 states to enable meaningful community service and help young people find purpose, have fun and stay healthy, said Nance on Runfarfoundation.com. Sample start-up projects include: hosting a schoolyard concert or picnic, roadside litter cleanup, fun run, art walk, hiking excursion, group yoga or meditation circle, launching a mentoring program, growing a community garden or painting a mural.
In Big Timber, Montana Nance met a high school student who is planning a school mental health fair after applying for a grant from Runfar to help address suicide in their community.
Running across the country has been taxing on his body and Nance developed tendonitis in one ankle, along with other aches and pains. Part of his traveling team is a chiropractor/massage therapist who helps keep him going. After recovering from painkiller addictions and mega-doses of Ibuprofen, Nance is running medication free, according to his Instagram.
"Tackling big challenges teaches us that obstacles are opportunities to become a stronger version of ourselves," said Nance in an interview with the Seattle Seahawks.
For more information about the Run Far Foundation visit Runfarfoundation.com
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