“This is the final day for Marshall, running across the country. He has approximately 31 miles remaining to get in to New York City on the steps of City Hall.
As reported last night. Marshall ran 61 miles yesterday which brought him exactly to an even 3000 miles. That’s the equivalent of 114 and a half marathon’s in 52 days.”
spoken through SpinVox
Heather, this is a runner who joined a part of your journey on last Sunday evening. Thank you for an opportunity to meet you, Marshall and your daughter. I want to let you know how much I (and I am sure many others) enjoyed reading your daily updates. At last, it is the last day. I feel like I want to know mile by mile update as Marshall gets closer to the NY City Hall! Congratulations.
Comment by yk — November 4, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Congratulations Marshall!
Enjoy the finish with your family! Incredibly well deserved! You are truly an inspiration!
Comment by Trooper Warren — November 4, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Wow, wow, wow! To think of the distance you have covered–all on your own two feet–boggles the mind.
You are incredible Marshall. May the last 31 miles be a joy, and may reaching the steps of city hall be a spectacular moment in your life.
Next up…a vacation! Right?
-Anna and Chris
Comment by Anna Boldon — November 4, 2008 @ 11:50 am
dear Marshall,
I have been following your run with interest from Germany. The mind boggles at the endurance and perseverance. Your discpline is an example to us all. Cathal
Comment by Cathal O Donnell — November 4, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Marshall:
Wow! Yeah! Woo Hoo! Hurrah and …………..
114 marathons down and one more plus a smidge to go.
Incredible!
Everyone is beaming with pride.
You are the MAN.
Go Marshall !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa Bliss—–start training.
Love from Christine and Art
Comment by Arthur Webb — November 4, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Marshall,
Enjoy this last day…I can only imagine the feeling.
What you are doing continues to inspire.
You must be Higher Powered,
Rick
Comment by Rick Nawrocki — November 4, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Marshall,
From everyone here at Sidney (IA) Elementary…CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Enjoy this momentous accomplishment!
Comment by Mrs. Wehling and Students at Sidney (IA) Elementary — November 4, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Way to go Marshall. Now dont go thinking about turning around and running all the way back! Congrats to you and all the crew.
Comment by Alex Nemet — November 4, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Marshall, wow!
I have thought about you guys a bunch and sent you and Heather both good wishes and lots of smiles. I hope you had the time of your life. All the best, Barbara
Comment by Barbara Szeprethy — November 4, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
Congradulations Marshall! You did it. You just RAN across the United States of America. That is unbelieveable. You are truly amazing. You should be very proud of yourself. Nice work my friend!
Comment by Mike Artino — November 4, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
Bask in great accomplishement with those you love - and enjoy last steps!
Comment by olga — November 4, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
Marshall, I don’t even know you and I am so proud of your accomplishment and motivated as well. 25 miles left, you can do it!!! You go now!
Comment by Ann Jamieson — November 4, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
P.S if you happen to see a sled, trailer or anything else like this in New York. Do not, I repeat do not load it up with all your stuff and start running home. You’ve done enough. We have cars and airplanes now that will get you home. You are the man! No doubt.
Comment by Mike Artino — November 4, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
get ‘er done marshall! good luck man.!
Comment by Hart — November 4, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Hi Marshall, I am a friend of Lisa Smith-Batchen and I wanted to send you a message from London and say you are a true icon for what you have and are doing!!! My very best to you as you continue to push on and ultimately cross the finish line!!! An early congratulation’s to you!!! Aran
Comment by Aran — November 4, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Marshall,
What an inspiration - running with your heart! You make all the Dreamchasers SO proud!!
Comment by Ed Kelly — November 4, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
Congratulation! Wow..2969 miles down and just 31 miles to go!
Comment by Susan Bell — November 4, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Marshall,
Congratulations man! What an accomplishment! You are an inspiration to all runners.
Comment by Leo — November 4, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Gives me goose bumps to read “FINAL DAY”. What a sweet sweet moment when you hit the finish Marshall. What a fantastic job and a great “journey” you have had. Runningamerica08 became the success you thrived for. I guess we hardly know half of the names involved. But it is you, after all, who has taken that step, followed by another step and yet another….. amazing. Hope you guys will celebrate this together hte best you can!!! (Sleep? :-)) Of course we look forward to that last FINAL blog. Enjoy New York!!!
Comment by Elisabeth — November 4, 2008 @ 2:19 pm
All I can say is what a goal to set out to do. I read Lisa Batchen blog and then read this blog.
I don’t know you either but know you are being prayed for the final miles and continued prayers to heal your body.
Amazing.
Susan
Comment by Susan — November 4, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Congrats on an amazing accomplishment Marshall! You are a running hero!
Comment by Darren Worts — November 4, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
YOU DID IT! Thank you thank you thank you for spotlighting for us all what a beautiful place the United States of America is, and for laying down the definitive evidence for Marshall’s Law:
********** The only limitations are in your mind **********
Steve and Barb
Comment by Team Domestic Kitties — November 4, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Marshall. I am a coaching student of Lisa Smith-Batchen. She sent me the information about the run you are about to complete. I myself have just run my frist marathon and can’t even imagine what you are about to complete.
My first marathon went just as I had dreamed it would. As you complete the last 25 miles today may it go as you dreamed it would be.
Dreamchaser Ben
Comment by Ben — November 4, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Wishing you safe travels as you approach NYC and a fabulous party once you arrive!
America is a better place thanks to people like you!
All our best,
Tamarack Habilitation Technologies
Minneapolis, MN
Comment by Jason — November 4, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
Congratulations Marshall!!! You are AMAZING, as always, and an inspiration to me and everyone else who knows you. Know that you are loved by us all. Again, congrats on an incredible accomplishment, to you, Heather, and all your crew!
Bill Cook
Comment by Bill Cook — November 4, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Dear Marshall & Heather,
Congrats on a truly epic achievement!
Hans & I couldn’t be happier for you and your family.
Lots of love & celebration,
Jacki
Comment by Jacqueline Florine — November 4, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Unreal… so very impressive and such an inspiration in so many ways! Marshall, your accomplishments are all so great, and now this…… you are truly amazing…. hoping that you are fulfilled and satisfied to be finishing this journey, enjoy these last ‘few’ miles…
With much admiration, your friend in Jackson Hole, Casey Cox xoxoxo
Comment by Casey Cox — November 4, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
Isn’t America vast?!? Welcome to a fairly exclusive club of like-minded adventurers. This email may arrive a bit before you finish but I have no doubt that you will be completing your journey very soon. It was a pleasure following along your route with the new SPOT technology and checking out the blog postings every day. You showed amazing perseverance and completed a long-standing goal that many ultrarunners dream about. There is no doubt that you inspired hundreds if not thousands along the way to get out and go around the block, around the local marathon route, or across the country.
I look forward to the documentary when it comes out as well as any other articles, interviews, and behind-the-scenes material from the crossing. I’m sure there is a process in place for screenings but hopefully you keep Seattle on your map as Spirit of the Marathon and UltraMarathon Man were very well received here.
I may be following up with some additional questions for the crossings list I maintain but the stats below are accurate as of my research to date.
Again my hearty congratulations! You’ll never look at rumble strips, bridge crossings, road atlases, RVs, and America the same again.
John
Seattle WA
WA-GA, 9/26/04-1/27/05, 3800 miles
http://www.seejohnrun.com
220th crossing
193rd person
182nd male
96th journey
51st journey single runner
35th journey single runner supported
2nd person from CO (1st since 1928)
192nd run (including races)
68th run (excluding races)
Fastest over 50 years old (old record: 64 days -TAFR)
2nd Fastest over 40 years old (52d:23h:24m - Serge Girard)
7th Fastest crossing overall
Comment by John Wallace III — November 4, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
Sick Marshall! Down right amazing!
Comment by Jeremy — November 4, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Dear Marshall
Wow, you are great. I want to wish you all the best in the final stage. Celebrate well.
Praying for you.
Albert in MB. Canada
Comment by Albert Martens — November 4, 2008 @ 3:26 pm
Marsh - Of course we always knew you’d make it!!! Very proud of you and very fond and inspired by you.
HI to Heather!!!
Katy
Comment by Katy — November 4, 2008 @ 3:30 pm
It’s the final push. I hope you take your time. Soak it up, bask in it. Let the joy of your outstanding accomplishment flood every cell in your body.
I can’t begin to imagine how you must feel coming into the end of your journey. I can only imagine the overwhelming emotions. Heck, even I am overwhelmed just sitting at my computer “watching” all you you have done!
Simply amazing.
Tough.
Wow.
You rock!
Hugs,
Lisa
Comment by Lisa Bliss — November 4, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Marshal - WOW!
Comment by marcy — November 4, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
Hey Marshall,
Outstanding work!! Proud to have run up and down Mt Whitney with ya.
Happy trails
Forget stopping in NYC, KEEP GOING !! You aren’t REALLY going to rest , are you? lol
Congrats
Take good care
Greg Theodore
Comment by Greg Theodore — November 4, 2008 @ 6:33 pm
Congratulations A fantastic achievement and I hope you enjoy the run into town. pleasr let us know how Brits can watch the docuementary. best wishes Martin ilott UK
Comment by martin ilott — November 4, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
Marshall, great job with the race! I wish I could be there to see you finish at City Hall but nevertheless we’re all cheering you on!!
Comment by Arthur Baczyk — November 4, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
I am stunned by this incredible accomplishment! Marshall is one of the few human beings with the psychological tenacity and the physical strenth to endure this cross-country journey. I had the privilege to meet him a few years ago, and I consider that an honor.
Comment by Sharene Garaman, Psy.D. — November 4, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
you might or might not get sick of hearing this , but you are the man!!!!!!!!
it’s an amazing accomplishment,and definitely one of the most inspiational.i’ll never complain again about going out for an easy 20.
congrats as well to heather and crew for taking care of you.
Comment by mike evans — November 4, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Marshall, truly an amazing accomplishment that has inspired many people, including me, redefined what is possible and this will be remembered by many people for years to come. Thanks for making the trip, pushing through the challenges and setting an example for us all. H
Comment by Howard Cohen — November 5, 2008 @ 12:06 pm
Well Marshall like I told you in Utah I want to be like you when I grow up. Congrats good job.
Comment by george velasco — November 5, 2008 @ 4:11 pm