In 5 Days, Vacaville Man Will Complete His Second Coast-2-Coast Run for Batten Disease

NEW YORK - Nov. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- 29-year-old Noah Coughlan has just five days until he plans to finish his second, 3,100-mile run across America, making him just one of 27 people to accomplish such a feat. In fact, more people have climbed Mount Everest than have run across America. The cause for both runs (the first, his 2011 Run for Research) has remained the same: To help raise awareness for Batten Disease, a rare and terminal neurological disease that currently has no cure, and typically shows up in early childhood. Noah’s insuppressible dedication to finding a cure for Batten disease developed after watching it affect two of his childhood friends, Catie and Annie Allio. This year’s run was different than his first run intention aside. Coughlan mapped a new route and encountered unexpected terrain and conditions. He also chose to travel alone, without a support crew, this year. In 2011, he ran with a support chase truck hauling water, food, and extra clothing. In an effort to show a sense of urgency to find a cure for Batten’s, Coughlan chose to run solo, relying on resources along the way. As it turns out, the bigger his challenges—the more people stepped up to help. During this run, new opportunities came at serendipitous times. That is not to say his trek has been easy, it is simply Coughlan’s acknowledgement that he could not have completed this run without the support and generosity from the American people. Coughlan has reach his goal of creating awareness about Batten disease and then touched the hearts of the American people.

After months of scrupulous planning to pack only the absolute necessities in order to travel alone, there was one item that Coughlan would bring without compromise. That one item wasn’t small nor did it fit in his small stroller of supplies, and it definitely wasn’t light. The one item he wouldn’t leave without was a large American flag. He simply wanted to carry it based on his respect for the flag and love for one’s country. To Coughlan, the flag provided protection and what her stars symbolized—the heavens and the goals to which humankind aspires, and the stripes would provide rays of light from the sun. His respect for his country (Coughlan was a graduate from the Napa Police Academy), his unwavering patriotism, his genuine desire to serve others, and positive activism is remarkable and refreshing. As months passed and Coughlan ran, the flag became something more to him, and it quickly became a beacon of hope to the American people.

Along with more than 50 families affected by Batten disease that Coughlan met during his run, he has met several others who are now considered friends, and he has inspired thousands. The American people quickly stepped up to serve as his support crew for him before he even realized what had happened. It seemed as if people needed Coughlan as much as he needed them. During the first three months of his run, Coughlan was humbled by the generosity of people, from incredible support of Batten families to total strangers who hadn’t even heard of the disease until now. For Coughlan, the flag evolved into a symbol of gratitude and a beacon of hope for the American people. He wanted to lift the spirit of the American people at every stop on his trip. People were ready for Coughlan’s optimism. When towns saw the flag coming, they saw inspiration coming.

Coughlan spent most of his time with Batten families, but he also had the opportunity to speak at schools from the junior high level to colleges, and meet with World War II veterans. Coughlan has crossed sacred ground including the Flight 93 Memorial. And although Coughlan never intentionally planned to finish his run around Veteran’s Day, it seems apropos that he will reach the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, November 10, the day before Veteran’s Day and just days after passing through some of the nation’s most historical locations.

Coughlan is determined to find a cure for Batten's and his passion for just that reminded those he met that America is not defined by its governing body or political affairs. America is defined by its people and their willingness to come together and lift each other up. Coughlan led by example. Media, runners, sponsors, civic groups, everyone, and anyone are invited to join Coughlan on November 10 at 3:00 pm at Pleasure Bay in South Boston, and watch him complete his incredible journey by running into the Atlantic Ocean. He will also be retiring his ever-constant companion—his US flag at this time.