The Run: Moving Natural Medicine Forward

By Dennis Godby, ND

The Run: Moving Natural Medicine Forward (TheRun.org), the grassroots movement to transform America’s health through lifestyle change and natural medicine, runs again in 2012! Fresh from last year’s record-breaking 3,100 miles – Jeremiah Godby, the youngest male since 1928 to run across the USA – will begin a 1,000 mile “solo and unsupported” (meaning no support vehicle following) southbound run – from the Canadian-American border at Peace Arch International Park on Saturday, August 11, and ending in Sacramento at the California State Capitol on Thursday, September 13. See Jeremiah’s full itinerary below!

Jeremiah’s older brother, Isaiah, 21, who ran with Jeremiah in last year’s cross country run, was deeply moved by his younger brother’s decision during last year’s run to make this 2012 run for America’s health.  Isaiah will oppose his brother, running the 725 mile northbound journey from San Diego, beginning on Saturday, August 18^th.  The Godby brothers will join forces on Wednesday, September 12^th when they will meet in Davis and make the final trek to arrive together at the California State Capitol on Thursday, September 13^th.  See Isaiah’s full itinerary below!

Jeremiah and Isaiah have planned their runs as “solo and unsupported,” on their respective northward and southbound runs to simplify their runs, logistically and financially, and to maximize media attention and community organizing for their cause of a healthier nation, not on their physical needs. Both Jeremiah and Isaiah, as aspiring naturopathic doctors, are hoping that local event planners organize around The Run as an opportunity to increase local awareness of naturopathic medicine and how simple lifestyle changes can lead to a healthier nation. Of course, with the two young men each running 30 miles a day, needing to carry a few necessities with them on their journey, and burning 8,000 – 9,000 calories, food and shelter for their hungry and tired bodies would be appreciated and welcome!

Jeremiah’s story of transformation will capture the hearts of the Northwest, and possibly the entire nation. As a 17-year-old teen, Jeremiah weighed 210 pounds, was anything but a  runner, and possibly on a path towards diabetes. But to inspire and challenge himself, Jeremiah made a surprise decision to join the cross country team the summer before his senior year at Davis High School. Through his training, he fell in love with running and also learned the discipline to eat healthier, which supported his running and weight loss goals. In the process, he lost 45 pounds, and decided to join The Run team, consisting of his dad, brother and cousin.

The Run 2011 was founded to raise awareness of naturopathic medicine throughout the nation, in primarily unlicensed states. The Run 2012 will largely focus on gathering momentum for The Run’s mission in three of the most significant states in the USA for naturopathic medicine: Washington, Oregon and California. All three states are: licensed for naturopathic medicine and homes for naturopathic colleges, Bastyr University (Seattle, WA), National College of Natural Medicine (Portland, OR), and Bastyr’s new California naturopathic college in San Diego, CA, opening in the fall of 2012.

Isaiah’s Itinerary on The Run 2012 South

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