2,800 miles in 62 days.
July 16, 2013 8:17 PM   Subscribe

At 9:45am on July 14, 2013, Alison Bradley met her mom on the steps of LA's City Hall and had a beer. Why? She'd just (unofficially) broke the previous World Record for a a Transamerica Run by a Female. Running mostly unaccompanied, Bradley covered 2,800 miles in 68 days (and burned through 6 pairs of shoes), starting at New York's City Hall. Why? Cancer research.

Interestingly enough, people do this kind of thing all the time, each with their own reasons. A few find it too much. Some prefer to walk.
posted by grabbingsand (16 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Dang. Call me inspired.

Also, I predict a discussion about toenails. Discuss.
posted by allthinky at 8:48 PM on July 16, 2013


Wow, that's around 2 marathons a day for over two months.
posted by lunasol at 8:48 PM on July 16, 2013


Incredible. Also, I'd kill for running shoes that lasted me an average of 467 miles!
posted by spiderskull at 9:42 PM on July 16, 2013


Epic Achievement Unlocked.

I wonder how she dealt with blisters and toenails cutting into adjacent toes. Either of those things could end the run.
posted by tservo at 12:39 AM on July 17, 2013


That sounds amazing.

I'm trying very hard to stop the small snarky voice in my head that wants to know what going for a long run has to do with cancer, and whether spending two months raising one millionth of the US National Cancer Institute's annual budget is the most effective way to devote one's time to fighting cancer. 'cause the answer to the question, "would the world be better if she'd done the same thing with no reference to cancer," is clearly, "no."

Which is to say, this is a really cool thing, no matter why people do it. Thanks for posting it.
posted by eotvos at 12:47 AM on July 17, 2013 [2 favorites]


I think the key question here is:

What kind of beer?
I suppose Guinness is too obvious a choice)
posted by ShutterBun at 12:54 AM on July 17, 2013


"Why? Cancer research. " - is such rubbish, as though she wouldn't have done it if there was no such thing as cancer.
This is typical of the current liberal attitudes towards social problems... As though you can fix them and have fun at the same time. It's rubbish. this is all about personal glory with a vague reference to "cancer research" tacked on as an after thought.
posted by mary8nne at 1:16 AM on July 17, 2013 [1 favorite]


city hall to city hall?

So it was almost coast to coast.
posted by surplus at 1:35 AM on July 17, 2013


It's rubbish. this is all about personal glory with a vague reference to "cancer research" tacked on as an after thought.

*shrug* I think she should be applauded because it's an amazing feat that must have required a ton of discipline and admirable physical fitness. I don't really care if her reasons for running were as altruistic as she says they are. She accomplished something great, and raised some money for a good cause in the process.
posted by Pizzarina Sbarro at 4:28 AM on July 17, 2013


The book "Meditations from the Breakdown Lane," by James Shapiro is a truly great book about a transcontinental run. Amazon has it listed for far too much money, but I got it out of the library several years ago.
posted by OmieWise at 4:49 AM on July 17, 2013


This is typical of the current liberal attitudes towards social problems... As though you can fix them and have fun at the same time.

Oh gosh. I totally blame MLK. No, Gandhi! Those hunger strike comedy hours.

So true. We might have stopped the invasion of Iraq OR fixed health care if we'd treated either with less levity.
posted by surplus at 4:49 AM on July 17, 2013


Everyone knows cancer will be cured by negative internet comments.
posted by srboisvert at 5:13 AM on July 17, 2013 [6 favorites]


I just find these absurd physical feats in the name of random charities so obscenely hypocritical. Its sickening that people can do something like this and without a glimmer of self-awareness claim that it was "all for charity".

Woman spends 68 days running to earn a mere $4,000 according to the article (her website suggests it was only $1287 USD ).

So basically, it took her 2 months to earn whats probably less than 2 months salary for say a scientist actually working to cure cancer. And no mention of how much of her own money went into organising the whole extravaganza (hotel bills, airfares, support etc). The point is if she actually cared at all about cancer research she should have just donated 2 months salary to the same charity.
posted by mary8nne at 6:37 AM on July 17, 2013


Gee, I missed the part where she said "it was all for charity". Actually, I think Ray Bolger said it to Dorothy.

Here's an actual quote from this fearless woman: “I always want to see how far my mind can push me, my body.”
posted by Steakfrites at 6:46 AM on July 17, 2013


That's pretty fuckin epic, right there. Good for her - that's a remarkable feat.

I read about this story earlier this morning while talking to my girlfriend, and I commented "wow, this woman just ran 2800 miles across the country. ... I sometimes walk across town, for small values of across."
posted by rmd1023 at 6:49 AM on July 17, 2013


Video of the finish
Looks like it's a Samuel Adams
posted by bruzie at 3:23 PM on July 17, 2013


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