Pete Kostelnick's Run Across America
This September 2016, Pete Kostelnick, a 29 year old super-runner from Lincoln Nevada just broke the Guinness World Record for running across The United states, beating the previous record by more than four days and running from Nevada to New York City Hall!
Like a lot of Americans, Pete started running to lose weight. In college he weighed around 200 lbs. Kostelnick started thinking about trying to complete the world record marathon after meeting Marshal Urchin in Colorado and they talked about Urchin's cross country run. Kostelnick knew he wouldn't be able to something like that back then, but he kept it in the back of his head Until later.
On his run, Pete also ran on the exact same route that Frank Giannino, the man holding the previous record for running across the U.S. ran on making his run even more impressive, considering that the route is more difficult than a standard one.
During his run, Pete hadn't seen his wife, Nikki since August. They sometimes communicated by cell phone, but since he was always moving to new locations, some without cell service, it was hard to communicate. But of course, she was there to greet and congratulate him at Washington City Hall at the end of his run.
"Once he gets into his rhythm, he has no problems." Said his wife Nikki.
But Pete didn't have it all easy on his two month trek. There were tendons in his ankle and shin after a climb in Sierra,and he was badly sunburned and feverish during parts of his run.
But on day seven, Pete stayed at a rest stop and was treated to his injuries.
Pete also had a busy schedule. He slept in an RV until 3:00 am, then he would run 70 miles in seven hours, take a short break for lunch, and then continue for 3 miles, and then do it all over again for two whole months.
A support van jumped ahead every one to two miles or so providing essentials like hydration, food, and sometimes other things. But on October 16, his support van was hit by another vehicle. But still, he completed more than 70 miles that day.
About two months later, Pete Kostelnick was nearing the end of his run at New York City Hall. "I can definitely feel New York City a little bit, and I think that's a good thing at this point. Knowing that the finish line isn't to far out is keeping me motivated to keep pushing along." Kostelnick said.
But finally, on October 24th, Pete Kostelnick crushed the world record for running across America by four days.
"I need a beer and my wife right now." Kostelnick exhaustively said when he finished his trek at City Hall.
After walking up the steps with his with his wife Nikki, they shared a long, emotional hug. "I am not running back!" Pete said to the people accompanying him.
“Congratulations, brother!” Frank Giannino said as he handed Kostelnick a gold baton, symbolizing passing of the record.