Man Runs Across U.S., Stops In OKC To Raise Awareness About Rare Diseases

A California man running across America to raise awareness about rare diseases stopped in Oklahoma to meet with lawmakers.

Noah Coughlan is the third person to ever run across the United States three times. He started his 3,100-mile trip in New York on February 28 and pushes a cart while he runs.

He was hit by a car in Knoxville crossing an intersection crosswalk, which destroyed his first cart, but he was physically OK to keep going.

Coughlan arrived in Oklahoma City last week and received a commendation from Governor Mary Fallin, a personal letter from U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and a citation from Mayor Mick Cornett.

Coughlan is filming a documentary of his run and a production team flies to all the major cities where he stops. Targeted for a 2016 release date, the documentary will be called “Run For Rare.”

The Californian sleeps in hotels and planned strategic days off to meet with families and plan. He changes out his running shoes every 300 to 400 miles. He dedicates each day to a different rare disease or individual in order to raise awareness for rare diseases.

In one of the photos, you can see him posing with CRPS Warriors, a group of Oklahomans dealing with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

Coughlan just made it to the Texas border and his final destination is San Diego, California, on July 4. While passing through El Reno, Coughlan did a tribute for the storm chasers that died in El Reno Tornado 2013.

Watch a video of the tribute here.

Run 4 Rare