Ran Across the USA, Germany, Alaska and Mojave Desert -- Now Aiming for USATF Masters Hurdling: Swede Björn Suneson, Age 70, Completes 6th Run Across America

In my last blog post back on June 15, 2018, I shared that I'm taking the summer off from blogging in order to spend my spare time doing some interior painting and other projects on a new home I purchased -- particularly since I'll be getting married soon. However, today I just had to share the news that yesterday Björn Suneson of Sweden completed his sixth solo run across the United States, and yes... he's considering a 7th crossing.

Björn and I exchanged messages today and he said that seeing me while he was running through Indiana was one of the highlights of his journey. Those are very kind words! You may recall that on May 16, 2018, I wrote about meeting Björn along the road after I had gotten off from working at the office. I also wrote a couple of other follow-up blog posts... one regarding his comparing my laugh to that of John Denver, and another about Björn drinking Coke.

When I saw Björn on his 30th day of running during this year's coast-to-coast adventure, he was quite surprised. This is what he wrote in his blog about it: "I’m running on a road with little traffic between Peru and Logansport in Indiana. I see a man get out of his car holding a camera. Is it the local press that is out on a job? I think. But suddenly I recognize the person who says: 'Hi Björn, nice to see you!' Oh My God, it is Paul Staso, the old coast to coast runner! Paul as well as our own Rune Larsson is the person who has inspired me the most when it comes to running across the USA. I met Paul in 2010 when he lived in Missoula, Montana. It was 2006 and he was running across the USA. I took in all that he wrote in his blog and was fascinated by his video clips." Back in 2006 when I was contacted by a long-distance runner in Sweden I had no idea that 12 years later I would watch online as he completed his sixth crossing from one ocean to another!

It's time for Björn to fly back to Sweden after running 3,300 miles in 100 consecutive days from Boston, Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon. His first coast-to-coast run across the USA occurred in 2007, the year following my crossing. Björn had tracked my progress via my website and told me in late 2006 that he would be attempting a solo crossing of America in 2007. Well, it is many years later and this tough Swedish endurance runner has now logged six solo crossings of the United States -- a world record. Absolutely amazing! Well run and well done Björn. Safe travels back to your homeland. I look forward to your next running adventure!