Many people inspired by the 90's classic movie 'Forrest Gump' have attempted to run across the length of America, but few have succeeded. One of the people that did accomplish this impressive feat is 39-year-old veterinarian Rob Pope from Liverpool, England. He spent 19 months reenacting the famous scene from the movie and managed to run more than 15,000 miles across America. Rob has already crossed the country 4 times and became the first person ever to run across the USA three times in one year.
There's no doubt that Rob took inspiration from the movie. "I just felt like running,” said Rob quoting Forrest Gump when reporters asked why he decided to do it. However, he later uncovered his true motivations. "I first had the idea to run across America 15 years ago. I'd had a number of half-hearted attempts trying to put a run together, but after watching Forrest Gump one night, I had a light-bulb moment" the accomplished runner said. His main motivation for running was raising money for charity. He has managed to raise £30,000 already.
Rob is not new to running. He became Australian marathon champion in 2015 and he has also won the Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon twice in a row. During his epic run across America, he took a short break to come back to the UK to witness the birth of his daughter. However, he wasn’t resting at all. Rob managed to participate in the London Marathon and broke the World's Guinness Record for the fastest marathon in a film character costume – dressed as Forrest Gump.
The runner admits that during his legendary run, he had to power through the physical pain from several injuries, and fight extreme exhaustion. "After my first injury - anterior tibial tendinitis - only 400 miles in, I had a break down in a gas station in front of a poor attendant - I'd put too much into everything to become a failure." The journey took a toll on his mental state too. "The enormity of it all, the repetition and loneliness have been mentally very tough," Rob admitted. However he refused to give up. "As a generally very positive person, I had a strong focus - quitting was never going to be an option".
After completing the run Rob proposed to his long-term girlfriend. "Nadine has been my rock, I couldn't have done it without her - proposing on that moment felt right".
Scroll down to see the photos of Rob's amazing run!
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Many people inspired by the 90's classic movie 'Forrest Gump' have attempted to run across the length of America, but few have succeeded
Image credits: Rob Pope
One of the people that did accomplish this impressive feat is 39-year-old veterinarian Rob Pope from Liverpool
Image credits: Rob Pope
He spent 19 months reenacting the famous scene from the movie and managed to run more than 15,000 miles across America
Image credits: Rob Pope
Rob has already crossed the country 4 times
Image credits: Rob Pope
There's no doubt that Rob took inspiration from the movie
Image credits: Rob Pope
"I just felt like running,” said Rob quoting Forrest Gump
Image credits: Rob Pope
His main motivation for running was raising money for charity
Image credits: Rob Pope
He has managed to raise £30,000 already
Image credits: Rob Pope
During his epic run across America, he took a short break to come back to the UK to witness the birth of his daughter
Image credits: Rob Pope
Rob broke the World's Guinness Record for the fastest marathon in a costume – dressed as Forrest Gump.
Image credits: Rob Pope
The runner admits that during his legendary run, he had to power through the physical pain from several injuries, and fight extreme exhaustion
Image credits: Rob Pope
After completing the run Rob proposed to his long-term girlfriend
Image credits: Rob Pope
"Nadine has been my rock, I couldn't have done it without her - proposing on that moment felt right"
Image credits: Rob Pope