California Man Runs From California To New JerseyJohn Radich had dreamt of running across the country since he was 16, and 40 years later his dream has come true.
Radich, 56, Monrovia, Calif., stopped in Warsaw Sunday night, ate at Culver's and stayed at Holiday Inn.
He will go to Fort Wayne today, stay there tonight, and continue on U.S. 30 and plans to arrive in Atlantic City, N.J., on Thanksgiving.
He began his run July 4 in Santa Monica, Calif., and has run along Route 66.
He has been on the road for more than 100 days, and has run approximately 2,700 miles. He has 800 miles to go.
The name of the run is The Way To Happiness Trans U.S.A. Run.
Besides Indiana, his run has taken him to Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
The purpose of the run is to raise funds for The Way To Happiness Foundation International.
The organization was established in 1984, with the mission of reversing the moral decay in society by teaching children about common sense.
Radich's friend, John Spencer, Battle Creek, Mich., drives a vehicle that carries Radich's supplies.
The two men ran in marathons together in Europe.
Monrovia said since he was 16 he dreamed of running across the United States after hearing about the Bunion Derby, a 3,455-mile race from Los Angeles to New York.
He ran cross country in high school, and his coach advised him to wait until he was older and there was a cause for him to run across the country.
Since 1979, Radich has competed in hundreds of marathons, covering a distance of 30,000 miles.
He has run the Western States 100-mile trail race, and is the three-time Arizona 6 Day Run winner in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 1999, he ran from Athens, Greece, to Hamburg, Germany.
However, he now is motivated to help and support The Way To Happiness Foundation International.
The foundation has international headquarters in Glendale, Calif., and offices throughout the world.
"My goal is to bring more awareness to the foundation, and help children by teaching them common sense," Radich said.
His travels have allowed him to meet with children to teach them about common sense principles such as honoring their parents, hygiene and being trust worthy.
During his run he has raised more than $100,000 for the foundation.
