“The Run” is in full-swing! On July 17, Dr. Dennis Godby, his sons Isaiah and Jeremiah, and his nephew, Jonas, left San Francisco to the cheers & encouragement of many in the holistic & natural medicine community. Their goal? Run across the continental United States and raise awareness about the role naturopathic/holistic medicine can play in improving America’s health.

Averaging over 30 miles per day on foot, Team Godby will cover a total of 13,500 miles before breaking the finish line in New York City, on November 11.

This week finds them heading East out of Nevada on Interstate 80 o—the country’s second longest interstate route— toward Salt Lake City, where they’ll take a couple of rest days, and make media appearances.

So far, they’ve braved blasting desert heat, typically starting out at 6 am, and finishing for the before 3 pm, to put the bulk of the day’s mileage behind them in the earlier, cooler part of the day.

Dr. Godby estimates that by the end of The Run, he and his boys will have burned at least 3.5 million calories. What are they eating on the road? “High protein hot cereal with fruit and protein powder (rice or pea) for breakfast. Throughout the running day we are eating sandwiches, protein bars, wonderful fruit smoothies with electrolytes and protein, watermelon or other fruit, chips, lots of water,” he noted in his latest blog entry. “The main thing I enjoy or crave in the desert is icy, cold water.”

During the month of August, the team will press on through Utah and into Colorado, where special events are planned by the naturopathic/holistic communities in Aspen, Ft. Collins and Boulder.

To follow The Run’s progress or to make donations to support the team, visit: www.therun.org.