Ultra Athlete to Run International after Historic Three Runs across America

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - March 31, 2017 - PRLog -- After a historic trilogy of Runs across America, Noah Coughlan takes his Run for Rare campaign global in the Summer of 2017.

More people have walked on the surface of the Moon (12) than have run across America a total of three times. In 2015 at 31 years old, Noah Coughlan became just the 3^rd and youngest person to accomplish the extreme feat after completing three solo transcontinental runs from Coast to Coast across the United States in 2011, 2013, and 2015.

To date, Coughlan has run almost 10,000 miles totaling the equivalent of 382 marathons. Over 40 States through 5 years, Coughlan endured violent weather systems, extreme temperatures, wildlife encounters, weight loss, and injuries. If running wasn't enough, Noah has completed over 150 media interviews, held a joint press conference with Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C, and has been greeted by multiple Governors in their State Capitols.

Across numerous cities, he was welcomed by two dozen police escorts including a Presidential police escort through Boston. Coughlan has been awarded commendations and awards ranging from local municipalities to the federal government, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marines Corps, and the United States Congress.

When Coughlan runs, the world around him responds. His unique blend of compassion, athleticism, and statesmanship has made him a force. The reason he runs is even rarer than he is. His cause – to push forward solutions for the 350 Million people globally affected by over 7000 known rare diseases.

His message is simple. The plight of the millions suffering from rare and even undiagnosed diseases is a story that needs to be told and needs to be told now. His commitment to this underserved and often invisible segment of the world population is personal. Coughlan's drive stems from his experience with two childhood friends fighting a rare brain disease – Batten Disease.

Recent American legislation echoes Coughlan's call. In December 2016, President Obama signed the 21^st Century Cures Act into law, approving allocation of funding to help further progress for rare disease research. Such landmark legislation had not been enacted since the passage of the Orphan Drug Act in 1983 by President Reagan.

On International Rare Disease Day on February 28, 2017, President Trump recognized those battling rare diseases in a joint address to Congress. Ironically, on the same day, Coughlan announced his international 2017 efforts, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) reintroduced the OPEN Act legislation which could potentially double the number of treatments available for rare diseases.

After the final step of his trilogy of American runs, Coughlan addressed a crowd of thousands at the Pacific Ocean in San Diego on Independence Day 2015. Noah remarked, "Americans can do great things when we work together. We can cross continents and reach other oceans. There are 30 million Americans suffering from rare diseases, and they need our help."

In 2017, Noah will cross oceans to reach other continents knowing fully well that rare diseases do not adhere to national boundaries or lines drawn on a map.

An untitled feature length documentary chronicling the previous 3 transcontinental runs of Noah Coughlan is currently in production by Luminous Pictures and Ezio Lucido and Jacoby Shaddix. The forthcoming documentary will continue through the momentum of Noah's 2017 global trek to inspire progress for Rare.

Producer/Director Ezio Lucido is an award winning filmmaker who recently produced 10 Mountains 10 Years, narrated by Anne Hathaway.

Producer Jacoby Shaddix is the founder and lead vocalist of the Grammy Award nominated and multi-platinum band Papa Roach. He has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and is represented by CAA.

For more information, visit https://www.run4rare.org/

To contact Noah or his team, email info@run4rare.org