As of now, he has run the equivalent of 63 marathons, covering around 2,600 kilometers in 66 days.
His journey, which began on September 15 in New York's Central Park, aims to span about 5,200 kilometers over 140 days, concluding in Los Angeles on February 9.
'Journey of a lifetime'
Speaking remotely from near the iconic Route 66, where the states of Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas converge, Sobania described his endeavor as a "journey of a lifetime."
He acknowledged the immense pressure and challenges of running such a vast distance, saying: "This is not normal; it's about running 5,200 kilometers. The pressure was enormous; it's a great challenge."
Throughout his trek, Sobania has faced numerous physical challenges, including blisters and injuries to his right leg and shoulder.
In St. Louis, he received a joint injection to manage pain and continue his run.
Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of perseverance regardless of pain or weather conditions.
To aid recovery, Sobania adheres to a regimen that includes nine to 10 hours of sleep daily, a balanced diet, alternating warm and cold baths, and assistance from a physiotherapist.
He noted the unique demands of his journey, highlighting that while many athletes require days or weeks to recover from a marathon, he has only 12 hours before embarking on the next one.
Run Across USA: 'You can do more than you think'
Along his route, Sobania has experienced moments of camaraderie, with individuals occasionally joining him upon noticing his "Run Across USA" shirt.
His mission's motto, "You can do more than you think," aims to inspire others to recognize their potential.
He shared: "If you can run a marathon a day, organize a run across America coming from a small town in Silesia [southern Poland] without great resources like me, then many things are possible."
A significant aspect of Sobania's journey is a charitable initiative in collaboration with the Business Without Barriers foundation.
The campaign seeks to fund "accessibility boxes" for hospitals, primary care centers, administrative offices and other institutions. These boxes contain tools and materials designed to support individuals with special needs.
Reflecting on his experiences, Sobania recounted a memorable day running through downtown Chicago, carrying the Polish flag, escorted by police and accompanied by fellow Polish runners
He described it as one of the most beautiful days of his life, expressing a desire to inspire and make a meaningful impact through his endeavors.
Currently en route to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sobania plans to continue along Route 66 through Oklahoma City and onward to California.
Throughout his journey, he anticipates wearing out approximately 30 pairs of running shoes.
A film crew intermittently joins him to document his challenge, and he looks forward to running alongside Navy SEALs for a day as he approaches San Diego.
Sobania is optimistic about potentially completing his run a week ahead of schedule.
Accompanying him is a support team consisting of a driver, photographer and physiotherapist, all traveling together in a large camper.
Prior to this endeavor, in June 2023, Sobania completed a run from Chorzów, Poland, to Marathon, Greece, and back, covering around 3,600 kilometers.
In November 2022, he finished a 60-day run from Piast Gliwice Stadium in Poland to Camp Nou in Barcelona, where he met with Polish national football team captain Robert Lewandowski.
The previous year, Sobania ran to Rome, participated in an audience with Pope Francis, and raised funds for a young girl battling cancer.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP, runacrossusa.org