Running
Knoll, 75, To End Jog Across U.S. In Arlington
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If Lao Tzu was correct in that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then Tom Knoll has done the Chinese philosopher at least one better.
On March 1, Knoll left San Diego -- at a jog -- for a 3,300-mile transcontinental journey, dubbed the Freedom Run Across America, which ends with a victory lap at 10:30 this morning at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington.
Knoll is 75 years old; this is his second coast-to-coast run for charity.
"Honestly, I can't believe how well my body has held up," Knoll said. "But I do a lot of LSD -- long, slow distance, so it's not about speed. Really, on this trip, there's no rush to get anywhere, since we've been running in the middle of nowhere."
Knoll is a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and more recently served as an intelligence officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today's run, largely ceremonial, will begin at the Lincoln Memorial and go past the Korean, Vietnam and World War II memorials before crossing the Potomac River to the finish.
Knoll is raising money for wounded veterans, abused children and disabled athletes. On Monday, he will meet with veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Knoll's son, Warren, 43, also has run the entire way. The two have been supported by a crew in an RV where they usually pass the short nights -- Knoll begins his daily trek of about 30 miles at 4 a.m. The last time Knoll made the trip, in 1983, he took 64 days, averaging 46 miles. Knoll is one of the 15 finishers of the first Hawaii Ironman competition in 1978.
During this run, father and son have survived numerous uncomfortable encounters with cars, 70-mph freezing winds in New Mexico and a close call with a tornado in Missouri. On Day 1, Knoll tripped and required 25 stitches to close cuts above and below his eye. To help pass the more mundane hours on the road, Knoll studied Hindi language downloads on his iPod in anticipation of his next trip to Afghanistan.
"It's been quite an experience, a big to-do for us," Knoll said. "We've met so many nice people, a lot of young kids who've joined in [from military facilities] along the way. They're the cream of the crop and make this whole trip worthwhile."
-- Jim Hage
