South African runner attempting to do "a Forrest Gump"

World runner Dave Chamberlain is on his big adventure, the so called Hug Run, running through six continents over at least six years. He is now adding the distance that the fictional character Forrest Gump did in the movie with the same name. Crossing the USA 4,5 times, starting in Varnville, South Carolina on Wednesday December 7. A detour that will take at least another three years.

With nothing but his pram and a few belongings Dave is making his way around the world, a journey that started in northern Norway in May 2016. Dave's plan was to be out on the roads until 2022, running through Europe, North & South America, New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and parts of Africa. A neat little run of more than 60 000 km (roughly 37 300 miles).

The Gump detour

At least, that WAS the plan. On the way down the east coast of the USA, Dave happened to pass a familiar site, the light house from the movie “Forrest Gump”. For some people it is simply a nice view, but for others it is enough motivation to decide to run across the USA 4,5 times, running where Forrest Gump theoretically did.

On December 7 he will head off on this 24 400 km/15 160 miles long detour that will take him at least three more years. After that he will continue making his way down Mexico and South America.

Dave is stressing that this is not about breaking records or competing:

- This isn't about me. It's not about how far I can run or that I’m some sort of running hero. I just happened to have a dream and I went for it. If I can go for my dream then anyone can.

All about dreams

The Hug Run is an attempt to raise awareness about our shared awesomeness as human beings and the power and importance of dreams. As Dave puts it:

- If you find your passion you find your value. If you learn to see the value in yourself, you will also learn to see it in the people around you.

Dave discovered his passion for running by coincidence in 2011, a silly challenge over sushi. He has completed three previous long runs. Down the length of Argentina, through the Namibia desert to South Africa and across Canada.