American University of Sharjah marketing professor, Nicholas Ashill, is about to embark on a three-month 5,400-km run across America in aide of pulmonary fibrosis.
The 52-year-old from New Zealand will set off from Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles on May 14 and hopefully conclude his journey 110 days later in New York.
The first 3,000km of his journey will see him run along the iconic Route 66. Once he reaches St. Louis, Missouri, he will then continue along other roads all the way to New York.
He plans to run 50km a day, seven days a week, beginning each day at 6am and ending his run before 2pm. His support team, which includes his eldest daughter and father-in-law, will be following him in a support car.
Ashill’s mother died two years ago from pulmonary fibrosis, a lung condition affecting one in 200 adults over the age of 65. There are 50,000 new cases every year and the disease claims 40,000 lives a year.
“A key objective of my run across America is to raise money to support families who are affected by the disease,” he said. “So many people need practical, emotional and financial support and I desperately want to help with this.”
Through his run, Ashill plans to raise funds for scientific research as well as providing oxygen bottles and support for those affected by the disease and their families.
