Distance athlete Brendan Walsh will run all 300 miles of Maine’s rugged coastline to support multiple sclerosis research.
“Bicycle Brendan” is known for his long-distance bicycle exploits. He currently holds a Guinness World Record for being the fastest person to cross the United States from north to south by bike. But for his next adventure, he’s leaving pavement (and his bike) behind for a run along the Pine Tree State’s epic 300-mile coastline.
Walsh will set out from Maine’s northernmost point — the Lubec lighthouse — on June 5. Three hundred miles of waves and rocks later, he’ll finish strong (we assume) on Maine’s southern tip at Fort Foster.
The run is a fundraising effort to battle multiple sclerosis (MS). Walsh conceived the idea after a close friend’s mother passed away from the disease. In a gesture symbolic of living with MS, he’ll be pushing all his gear in a bike stroller.
Bicycle Brendan: Adventuring for Good
“I’m very excited about this challenge since it’s not something I’m used to doing,” said Walsh. “I have done 100-mile runs before, but this challenge will put me out of my comfort zone.”
We hesitate to imagine what constitutes Walsh’s comfort zone, as his previous fundraising adventures include a 700-mile ride that tackled the Northeast’s six tallest peaks.
Walsh caught the long-distance adventuring bug after a motorcycle accident in college left him stuck in a hospital and itching to move his body. After recovering, he dusted off the hardtail he’d been using in high school and bought a road bike later that year. Before long, he was riding across the country in support of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
“I do these types of challenges to show people what they’re capable of when they think they can’t go any further,” said Walsh.
Walsh’s funds on the Rocky Coast Run will go toward the National MS Society, which supports MS research, services, and programs.
