Man's running journey: cross country trek aims to unite Americans

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From the mountains to the prairies, one man is running coast to coast, hoping to make history and bring Americans together one step and one town at a time.

Noah Coughlan is on his 5th and final run across the country.

He's not only wanting to make history, but he also wants to make an impact.

"So figured I'd do the ultimate cause, which would be the American people. Not political in any way and just wanted to honor my country," said Running Across America Noah Coughlan.

He started in Maine and plans to run to Oregon, along with the states he has not run before.

Then he will run across Alaska and end in Hawaii with the finish line coinciding with America's 250th Anniversary.

Along the way, he stops to talk with people, asking what America and its flag mean to them.

“You know, I'm saying that we have a lot more in common than we do apart. It's a message to encourage unity. It's a message of peace. And it's just a simple recognition of our very existence as Americans going into the 250th,” said Coughlan.

A woman driving on US 12 passed Coughlan and was curious as to what he was doing.

Once returning home to Elkhart, she looked up his story and was so touched she drove back to find him.

"Now is a time more than ever to have Americans come together. So much that's happening here. So, yeah, he's fresh air and a big inspiration. and we are just excited to have met him,” said Lorraine Dudash.

Many others who felt the same way gathered in Edwardsburg to cheer him along.

The Edwardsburg Area Historical Museum provided him with a coloring book representing the town as well as county officials thanking him and giving him the county challenge coin.

Also, in attendance was a familiar face to Noah.

The mother of a boy with a disease that Noah ran for in the past.

“This is a selfless act right here just to show America how amazing we are how we can be great together Doesn't matter if it's a rare disease, veterans, we're all we're all the same, we're all one people and so this is just a beautiful way for him to wrap up his journey,” said Heather Allman, the mother of son Noah ran for in the past

“This run, it's more than just the year 2026. This is 1776 to 2026. It's a message of unity. It's a message of hope. It's a statement that we're stronger together, and that is what I'm seeing from town to town,” said Coughlan.

Coughlan hopes to complete a documentary of the entire run in 2027, followed by rest and recovery.
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