Ernie’s Journey

by Tom Purdy

Most runners are proud when they achieve certain milestones. For most runners, the marathon is the pinnacle of their running days. Typically, running is thought to be for the young and the middle aged, with fewer runners able to continue into their twilight years. Ernie Andrus is not most runners. Later this summer Ernie will run across St. Simons Island, step into the Atlantic Ocean’s waters, and complete his Guinness World Record-setting run across the country; hopefully the day after his 93rd birthday, August 20.

Ernie’s journey began more than two years ago when he was a youngster of only 90 years. He took up running late in life, running his first half marathon at age 87, and running 200-mile relays at age 88. Ernie isn’t the fastest runner around, but his determination is what sets him apart. His running calendar typically includes six miles per day, three days per week. At his age, pace is everything. When he invites people to run with him he typically adds, “I’ll run, but I’m slow. You can probably walk.”

The motivation for this run across the country isn’t just for fun. Ernie’s is raising money for LST-325, the last operating Landing Ship Tank of the more than one thousand built during WWII. Ernie served on board an LST during the war. The LSTs were so essential to the war effort, putting equipment and troops on beaches like Normandy, that according to Ernie, “Churchill called them the ship that won the war.” Ernie was one of 28 WWII Veterans who went to Greece in 2000 to bring the last ship home to Alabama. Today LST-325 is a floating museum and memorial currently docked in Evanston, IL. Ernie and others who support the memorial would love to sail her back to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019 if they can raise the necessary funds.

As Ernie has made his way slowly across the country, six miles at a time, he always runs with an American flag, and often has other flags to share with those who run with him. Some days he has run alone, especially early on. Now

that he has reached the panhandle of Florida and more people have heard his story, it’s increasingly likely that he’ll have a small crowd to run with him. John and Michelle met Ernie late last year, joining up with him in the middle of one of his runs through Louisiana. “We found him mid way through that day all alone with no escort. We promised Ernie that we would do our best to not let that happen again,” Michelle said. They have been true to their word. They have called ahead along Ernie’s route to arrange a police escort every day since.

Ron Smith spent two days running with Ernie in his home state of Alabama. “Running with Ernie was a way to honor him as well as [other veterans in my family]”, Smith says. “It was a great honor to talk to Ernie and hear his stories as we covered the miles.” Some people, like John, a firefighter from California, even fly across the country to meet Ernie. “When I happened across Ernie’s story, I knew immediately that I had to be a part of it. I jumped on a plane just to run a single day with him.” John is also working from California to help organize a celebration for Ernie when he reaches his goal here in the Golden Isles. Ernie says he is committed to finishing on August 20, “because so many people have already bought plane tickets and reserved hotels!” Ernie has touched many lives over the miles he’s traveled, and there are thousands rooting for him. As joyous as the occasion will be, however, it will have a note of sadness as well. Ernie has outlived three wives. His third wife, fully supportive of his run across the country, ultimately decided not to go with him, and died as the result of a stroke just a month and half in to his journey. He was able to fly back to Arizona to be with her for her final week. Apart from that week and a few other breaks, he has continued his trek eastward six miles at a time, living out of his motor home. Although his wife won’t be with him when he finishes, he’ll have plenty of others to line his route and run with him.

Ernie’s looking forward to the finish line too, although he’s very grateful for his time on the road. “There’s no place like America,” he says. “The generosity and love of the American people – you don’t find that anyplace else in the world.” He’s also proud of his accomplishment aside from the fundraising for LST-325. “I feel really good about getting so many reports from people that they have been inspired by my run to get back to exercising,” he recently said. “And the kids, getting excited and waving flags, getting interested in history; we’ll need to count on them in the future in this country.” If our youngest generations embody Ernie’s spirit, patriotism, and commitment, the future is truly bright.

Ernie will arrive in Glynn County in a couple of months, and this part of his journey will come to an end. After he sets the record for his cross-country run, he isn’t going to sit still for long. “I’ve always wanted to drive the Alaskan-Canadian Highway, so I’m going to do that next, while I still can.” There aren’t many runners like Ernie Andrus, and in reality there aren’t many non-runners like him either. We can all learn from his example, steadily working to achieve great things. There’s no telling how far Ernie’s run can take us.

You can follow along with Ernie’s progress at coast2coastruns.com or join the Coast2CoastRuns group on Facebook. You’ll also find a donation link on the website, if you’d like to help support Ernie’s journey.