Woman running coast to coast gets support from locals

Woman running coast to coast gets support from locals

(Christina Lee)


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SALT LAKE CITY — As Jorge Garcia drove west on I-80 — a trip he frequently makes as a manager for Costa Vida — he noticed a woman running, pushing a stroller. A runner himself, who also manages a group of race pacers, Garcia was intrigued. He pulled his car over and asked the woman where she was running.

The woman introduced herself as 23-year-old Christina Lee of San Jose, California. Not only was she running, but she was running from New York City to San Francisco, and she was doing so in an effort to raise $100,000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Having had many friends serve as Navy SEALs, Lee saw firsthand the hardships they each had to endure. She wanted to do something to help raise funds but wanted her efforts to reflect those whom she was representing.

She wanted to make her already challenging endeavor even more challenging.

Starting her journey on July 7, Lee’s 3,100-mile run would take place during the warmest months of the year. To make things more difficult, the runner is going at it solo, with only her stroller that she calls “Thor,” and she is taking a more difficult route (east to west).


I set out to do this journey in the hardest way I knew how ... because when I reached the end, I wanted to know without a doubt that I had laid every single ounce of effort out on the line and there was nothing left for me to do.

–Christina Lee


When asked why she made her journey so difficult, Lee responded, “The dedicated and ultra-committed men of the Navy SEALs who sacrifice so much to protect our liberty deserve nothing less than our all-out effort.”

In a statement on her blog, Lee said, “I set out to do this journey in the hardest way I knew how: the hottest time of year, one of the longest routes (you'll notice most crossings go across the south because America narrows), heading straight through every mountain range, facing into the Westerly’s instead of having the wind at my back, going unsupported, setting a fantastically difficult fundraising goal, etc., because when I reached the end, I wanted to know without a doubt that I had laid every single ounce of effort out on the line and there was nothing left for me to do.”

To date, Lee has crossed through eight states and is currently in Utah. Having only been in the state for three days, she has already received an outpouring of support.

“I've already encountered an enormous amount of hospitality from the people here,” Lee said. “Jorge Garcia drove my route and reported back to scout out areas of construction and found ways around them. That was amazing of him!”

Garcia’s support for the runner doesn’t end with navigation help. He has gathered up members from his “Run Your Race Pacers of Utah” team to run with her, as well as local companies to provide her with much-needed supplies. “As of right now we have UtahRun,Altra,Probar, Eat Dutch Waffles (LizardSkins) — all Utah companies, as well as Pro Compression (a Run Your Race Pacers sponsor) fully committed to help with this epic run,” Garcia said.

Christina Lee poses with Jorge Garcia. (Photo: George Garcia)
Christina Lee poses with Jorge Garcia. (Photo: George Garcia)

As Lee continues on with her final three states (Utah, Nevada and California), Garcia has offered to deliver her supplies as he makes his business trips on I-80.

Lee has many supporters on her journey, including her favorite NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco 49er great Jerry Rice, after seeing a picture of Lee running in his number 80 jersey, tweeted, “Good luck to Christina Lee, a die-hard 49ers fan who is running from NY to San Fran (a 3,100-mile trip) for charity in her Rice jerz."

The football team is producing a 30-minute documentary on Lee’s run benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation and will air it on its "The Faithful" TV program.

If you would like to help Lee’s efforts, go to her blog at easiersaidthanrun.com.


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About the Author: Arianne Brown -------------------------------

Arianne is a mother to six young children. Her down time is spent running the mountain trails of the Wasatch Mountains and beyond. Contact her at ariannebrown1@gmail.com, follow her on Twitter @arimom6 or search her Facebook page, "A Mother's Write."

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