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!

More info: Facebook | goingthedistancerun.com

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

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