Crossing America to raise cash for Help for Heroes

For a man about to run 3,000 across America taking in three deserts and nine mountain ranges in temperatures in excess of 100C, Steve Pope is remarkably relaxed.

“If I’m not ready now then it’s too late,” says the 44 year old from Sheffield.

His relaxed manner may be actually one of the things that will help him and fellow long-distance runner Chris Finill become the first Brits to run coast to coast across America.

The pair plan to start on August 17 by running out of the Pacific Ocean, “like on Baywatch” at San Francisco and finish 77 days later by plunging headlong into the Atlantic Ocean in New York. They also plan to time their finish to take part in the New York Marathon.

The gruelling challenge will see the men running 40 miles a day for 77 days. For the first three weeks temperatures will be in the 100Cs.

“The heat will be the biggest challenge,” says Steve who has been training by running in the Peak District.

“The challenge will be staying hydrated while running 40 miles a day in those kinds of temperatures.”

The pair, who are seasoned long-distance runners will have the support of Chris’s wife Julia and Ben Southern who is making a film about the challenge.

The men hope to raise £10,000 for Help for Heroes.

Chris, 52, has been a competitive runner since the age of 12. After moving up to Ultra distance (races longer than the marathon) he won the English Championships at 100 kilometres and 24 hours in 2003 and 2008 respectively and has represented Great Britain eight times in these events.

Chris is the only person in the world to have run all 31 London Marathons in under three hours, a feat which was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records in 2009.

Steve started jogging at university in 1985. After a while, he realised that he had a talent for long-distance running. With this in mind, he decided to move up to the World of Ultras and had success, winning several events including the Barry 40-mile race, the Thames 50 and Tipton 12 hours.

The pair met eight years ago through their love of long-distance running and hatched the Run across America plan over a pint or two.

“Chris just said had I ever thought of running across America and I said ‘yes’ but I’ve never done anything about it. He said let’s do it then,” explains Steve, a student landlord.

“We agreed we’d do it in 2011 and then forgot about it.”

But it never really totally went away, admits Steve.

“I did keep thinking about it. The more I thought about it the more I really wanted to do it. Hardly anyone has run from San Francisco to New York. And I wanted to be one of the first Brits to do so. I kept thinking it would be a really great thing to do.”

Eight times as many people have climbed Everest as have crossed America on foot.

As Chris and Steve started to plan their trip it gained momentum.

As well as running up to 250 miles a week in the Peak District, Steve ran from Chris’s home in Surrey to his own house in Sheffield.

“We ran 50 miles a day for five days so we are reasonably confident we can do it,” says Steve, who is married to Penny.

“Neither of us has run 3,000 miles before but we are confident we have done the preparation to get through, although it is hard to prepare for the temperatures we will experience in California, Nevada and Utah. We have been given some UV resistant clothing though.

“But in reality we are just going to have to grit our teeth, drinks plenty of water and run in the coolest parts of the day.”

They plan to run everyday without a day off.

“The cyclists in the Tour de France end up going for a ride on their day off. The fear is that if you stop your body seizes up.”

But it not just the physical side of the trip which will prove a challenge.

“Mentally it can be really tough,” says Steve.

“There is a lot of running through the desert which I suppose some might find boring but once you start running then you just get in to it, it’s hard to explain.

“We have both run 24-hour races before which I think has helped prepare us mentally – you’ve got to be really strong mentally to do stuff like that.”

The other challenge is spending 77 days with each other

“Hopefully we won’t come to blows too early on the trip,” says Steve, who doesn’t listen to music when he’s running.

“We do get on really well. We are both long-distance runners and so have a similar temperaments. I am sure there will be times when we can’t stand each other, but I am sure we will get through it.”

Steve, who runs his own student property business after working as a teacher, is no stranger to transatlantic challenges.

He cycled from Vancouver to the Mexican border over six weeks in 1995 – “for the hell of it”.

And the journey north to south whetted his appetite for seeing different parts of the country.

“There are two Americas – the cities and small town America, which you don’t really see much of.

“It’s where nobody locks their houses and cars and where everybody invites you to dinner. They are friendly, open people. The cities are very different.

“If you are going to see America, you want to see the extremes. There will be some times when there will be four days without us seeing a habitation. It will bring home that America is a big place.”

As well as blistering temperatures the pair will have high altitude to contend with at times as well as dealing with snakes and grizzly bears. “My family do think I’m a bit bonkers and wondering what on earth I am doing now,” says Steve.

“My mum is convinced I am going to die out there, but she knows that I am often doing pretty mad things.”

Chris and Steve are expecting quite a lot of support along the way as news of their trip spreads across America.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from long-distance running groups with some people offering us places to stay along the way.

“We’ve decided to stay in motels mostly, we felt after spending all day together we would need a bit of time apart as well as a hot shower. I don’t fancy pitching a tent after running 50 miles in 100C.

“Some radio stations have also been in touch with us, we really don’t know how much interest there will be in what we are doing.

“Although Help for Heroes is a British charity it is well known in America and touches a chord with a lot of people out there so we are hoping that we will get a lot of support.”

They are keeping a blog of their adventures and people can also follow their progress on Twitter.

Steve thinks he might even write a book about the trip on their return to Britain in November.

As both Chris and Steve are experienced long-distances racers does he think there will be a dash for the line at the end?

“I don’t think I will feel like doing anything competitive after 3,000 miles. We have been lucky enough to get two tickets for the New York marathon which will be a fitting end if our timings work out right.”

Runners’ target is £10,000

Steve Pope and Chris Finill will set of on their 3,082 mile run across America at 5pm on August 17 from Half Moon Bay, San Francisco.

“From Golden Gate to New York State” as the run has been called will take them 77 days and will see them running 40 miles a day to take in three deserts and nine mountain ranges to complete their challenge in time to take part in the New York Marathon on November 6. They hope to raise £10,000 for Help the Heroes and become the first Brits to run across America.

For more information or to sponsor them visit www.runacrossamerica.co.uk