It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. For Bainbridge Islander Greg Nance, the first steps of his 3,071-mile run across America will begin in the Atlantic Ocean.

On April 16, more than 60 supporters gathered at Waterfront Park to cheer on Nance before he departed for Long Island, N.Y., where he will begin his run to raise money for youth mental health projects.

Former congressman Don Bonker said Nance got on this pathway because he had dealt with difficulties as a teenager and channeled his energies into helping people. “At the University of Chicago, with fellow students, he formed an organization to assist minorities who are trying to have access to college. Ultimately, they raised $27 million,” and the program exists in all 50 states now, Bonker said.

North Kitsap High School coach Scott Orness said kids need helping adults in their lives, especially after COVID-19. “One thing about Greg is his reach is extraordinary, and he’s done it through connecting with people and investing in people.”

Beginning April 25 he’ll dip his feet into the Atlantic and start running toward the West Coast, where he’s expected to finish at the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Shores June 28.

Nance, 33, chose to commemorate 3,000 days of sobriety by running an average of 47 miles per day through 14 states for 65 days to spark conversations about youth mental health. The Run Across America is a kickoff event to raise funds for the Run Far Foundation, which supports youth-led volunteer community building projects nationwide.

To prepare, Nance trained in a variety of climates around the world.

His motivational mantra is, “keep showing up. Everyday I’m showing up whether I feel like it or not. Whether it’s sunny or raining or snowing. I’ve run every single day, since March 27, 2020,” Nance said.

For two years, he’s run as little as one-and-a-half miles to as much as 133 miles each day.

According to the website Fastestknowntime.com, which tracks running achievements worldwide, Nance holds more than 30 running records all over the world, including China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

“I like to push myself as far as I can, and as hard as I can,” said Nance, who has 35 Fastest Known Time records, including running across Chicago, NYC, Montreal, Aruba, Bahamas, Singapore and Shanghai.

Every Saturday he went on long runs. On March 8, he ran 105 miles from Devil’s Head on the south end of Key Peninsula to Hansville in 13 hours, 42 minutes. Two weeks later, he ran 81 miles in Texas from San Antonio to Austin in 15:08.

His support team is always there. “I can’t do it alone because it’s the extent of my potential,” said Nance, who explained that he has an “incredible team.”

Two road crew members will accompany Nance on his cross-country run. Yoshua Kohrs, a nutritionist, physical therapist and massage therapist, will be the “body mechanic” and will monitor Nance’s hydration, electrolytes and treat any muscle pain or injuries. Elise Telford, the Run Far Foundation co-founder, will be the expedition storyteller and will handle day-to-day logistics, hotel accommodations, and she’ll be chronicling the run in photographs.

It will be their job to make sure that he consumes the 8,000 calories a day he needs to keep him going for 47 miles a day, “even on days when I don’t feel like eating,” Nance said.

Nance will be running through various towns and hopes folks will come out and join him- ala Forrest Gump.

“I’m embracing the serendipity of who comes out to run or bike with us.” Nance has prepared himself physically and mentally. “It’s going to be hard,” he said, adding the toughest part of training was his own psychology.

Nance knows endurance races. In 2019, he was the youngest finisher of the World Marathon Challenge and completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.

Pennsylvania will be the first test of his endurance; where the first blisters will appear, the first cracked toenails, shin splints, sunburn… As for climbing the Appalachians, even though he has lots of experience “that will be a real gut check.” He’s bringing six pairs of his favorite Brooks running shoes in sizes 11 to 13 because his feet will swell after weeks of pounding the road.

He’ll be greeted with flatlands and rolling hills in the Midwest and then the Rockies will be the crux because the Pacific is still so “unthinkably, unfathomable far away.”

Climbing summits will be challenging.

“That’s where I’ll be doing some desperate Facetime (calls) as I get (cellphone) reception,” as he copes with the loneliness and rigor of the climbs.

His favorite thing to think about is “free miles.” It’s a meditation process that he uses to “stay Zen.” It is a state of being fully immersed with the natural world, listening to the birds chirping, noticing the beautiful trees, smelling the flowers and being in touch with his breath. “There’s just peace and tranquility in the world. That for me is my favorite part of running, and it’s a beautiful gear when you’re there.”

Some days he’ll have to push through the fatigue to, “that telephone pole or that stop sign, or to that truck. It’s mind over matter.”

Nance recalls life being hard as a teenager. He felt the pressure to succeed. ”I wasn’t able to talk about my feelings, and it felt safer to drink a lot of alcohol…I’ve learned in the years since, that was never a good idea. You end up feeling isolated, you feel disconnected.”

He struggled with depression and addiction at Bainbridge High School, and he wants to help others. “How do we build mental health around youth? So, that youth have more resilience, a stronger foundation and are better equipped when tough stuff happens.”

While he’s on the run, Nance will meet with school and organizational leaders to encourage startup projects funded through Run Far grants. Projects like hosting a schoolyard concert or picnic, roadside litter cleanup, launching a mentor program, growing a community garden or painting a mural. He’s also recording the journey for a documentary, ‘1 IN 7’ which explores “how can we better support this need?”

Check it out

Visit runfarfoundation.com to help fund youth-led grant projects.

Track Nance’s daily progress at gregrunsfar.com.

Nancy Treder / Bainbridge Island Review Greg Nance thanks friends and family for supporting his efforts as he prepares to run 3,000 miles across America beginning April 25 in Long Island, N.Y.

Greg Nance second from right, making the final preparations with his team in Winslow.