John on the TV News!

See link: http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13160903

John Radich, 56, is running Route 66 from Santa Monica, California to Chicago, and then hopes to make it to Atlantic City to touch the ocean. The ultra marathoner started his journey on July 4 and has covered 1,700 miles - recording 35 to 40 miles each day.

Radich says he is amazed how preserved Route 66 is in small towns like Carterville, Missouri and was glad to see sites like the 66 Drive in Theater near Carthage. He says the Four States is greener than California and people are extremely nice. Radich says the run gives him an appreciation for America.

"I've run across Europe a few times, Australia, Canada," Radich says. "The United States is the greatest country in the world and following Route 66 has been absolutely incredible - running through the Navajo Reservation in Arizana-New Mexico, running through the panhandle of Texas."

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Flagstaff to Albuquerque

Leaving the forests of Flagstaff I was welcomed to rains and lightening, fortunately the further I ran east the less intense the storm became. Running on RT 66 was always my first choice - I-40 the busy interstate pipeline isn't my favorite to run - the wide shoulder on this section was nice though. You descend quickly from Flagstaff, the Ponderosa pines soon disappear and high desert chaparral was now a common sight.
Continental Divide: After a very treacherous run along 8 miles of road construction and two lane roads -the most narrow section and most awful run on I-40 so far - trucks blast by you too close for comfort, no place to hide - just need to go on through.


A New Mexico HWY Patrol stopped me saying “I got a call about a man running with a baby jogger and baby on board”. He was smiling and knew what I was doing and took interest in the run. "RT 66 exits and the Continental Divide is about 1 mile away, you'll be happy to know that, I think". “You bet” I told him! Now raining and I was quite spent, I crossed the Continental Divide. A Navajo woman stopped and suggested I stay at the Top of the World Motel , which I did. Karen and Jason, the motel hosts, were quite kind with a complimentary room. I met the locals and many of the Native Navajos in the area who give the best directions and mileage and what to expect running along Rt 66 to Grants, NM. They know - it's their incredible land.A local person in a truck stopped me, offered me a 10 mile ride to Grants – I said “no thanks I'm running across America , a ride would compromise my run's integrity”, he said, “ahh, no one would know”! “Yea”, I said, “but you and I would know” “and God” he said, he understood and wished me luck and donated money for water and snacks. I slept in a truck stop TV lounge that night. Not the most comfortable place, but I was dry.On the road I met this joyful man with a white beard, “Billy”, a runner and teacher and strong community leader at Grants High School. Billy took a keen interest in my run and offered me his place to stay. Billy and his wife Marie and family all welcome me warmly, ironically Billy grew up in Altadena, CA, near me. They have a beautiful cabin. Billy talked me into a "side adventure” the following day, a 6 mile run up to 11,300 foot MT Taylor. A spectacular panoramic views of the valley below. We team up with Bob, a teacher also on a local reservation with an impressive running resume, who is training to run the Pike's Peak Marathon. Billy and his family left me with a very happy experience and a friendship for life!

A Native American family stopped me on RT 66, they gave me Oreo cookies, water, energy bars and their blessings. The kindness of the Native Americans is really amazing. Running into Albuquerque was a long hilly section, Javier a young and upcoming tri-athlete, studying to become a doctor at the University of New Mexico crewed me the last 16 miles, not having to run with the baby jogger was quite a change and welcomed relief! Just awesome! Thank you Javier!! Albuquerque is quite a running mecca, even for some Kenyan and European runners training for a major US marathon. The altitude, dry climate and dirt roads all appeal to runners of all levels. I know now why they call New Mexico the Land of enchantment with its beautiful surrounding mountains and high desert appeal.

Tales from Running Across America by John Radich

Finally fulfilling a dream of mine since I was 16, which is to run across America which I once told my coach in high school after reading about the Bunion Derby races across America in the 30's. His response, "wait until your older and have a purpose behind it". Well coach, I certainly do now at 56!

Since dipping my feet in the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica on July 4th, following historic Route 66, much has happened along the way - volumes to write so I will cover key areas which may be of interest.

Running with my friends out of Santa Monica was great and a bigger surprise was that my brother Ron and his wife came out to see me leave and follow me the next few days. Backtracking the LA Marathon route in sections was fun, passing through Beverly Hills, the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital and Federal Building continuing on through Hollywood and The Grahman's Chinese Theater for photos and passing by the Kodak theater (home of recent academy awards). Edgar Zarzalejo, a fellow runner and friend joined me for a delicious brunch at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center. Kista and Michael joined a leg with us running out of Running Circle www.arunningcircle.com, a very popular local LA running store, neighboring running haven Griffith Park which supplied me with shoes gear for my run Across America.

Route 66 continues on through Pasadena, Rose Parade and famous Colorado Blvd. Champion runner Judy Maquire joined me from Monrovia (my home turf) running through Azusa, Glendora (my home town) - on through Upland and Fontana which I encounter four tough looking gang members who asked me where I was running to? “East Coast” I told them - they all high-fived me and cheered me as I run.

Norm Lopez from the San Bernardino Pacers running club lead me with fellow Pacers up the complex Route 66 through the mountainous Cajon Pass.

Now in the Mohave Desert, temperatures reached over 100 degrees as Judy and I entered Victorville and Barstow. Route 66 - America's once most famous highway - still stands, with towns of Bagdad and the famous Bagdad Cafe featuring colorful characters working there; t-shirts scatter the walls from tourists all over. Dagget, Ludlow, Amboy and Goffs: tiny blink towns never exceeding more than 25-50 in population, all with very friendly people and stories to share. European tourists take time and interest to follow America’s Historic Route 66.
Temperatures reaching well over 115 degrees along the highway, Judy does a magnificent job crewing me for the short time she can be away from work, keeping me hydrated and her fun disposition making this section more “bearable”, if you can call it that. Judy leaves me at Needles, one of the hottest places around (120 degrees), hot and humid along the Colorado River. I carry on with my baby jogger and supplies towards Arizona. Legs still holding up, no blisters thanks to my injinji toe socks (www.injinji.com) and Natural Vitality Nutritional products (www.naturalvitality.com) keeping me running strong and long.

Made it to Flagstaff! Made 35 miles today! Beautiful run: I left Williams, but beforehaving a nice breakfast at the local café the owner offered me a free meal. He was Greek and took a real interest in my run and I mentioned I had run through Greece in 99. Also the waitress who served me tells me she saw me running on I-40 to Williams. I signed a The Way to Happiness copy. She was so nice and full of compliments - I blushed! I left Williams with a warm feeling in my heart. People really are nice there. Despite much thunder and lightening, hail and buckets of rain.

Ran the Arizona Divide – the highest point on Route 66 (I-40) @7,300 feet. New Mexico mayhave peaks over 6,000 feet. Received many honks from truckers and cars today, and waves. Coming off the I-40 into Flagstaff I continued right on Route 66. What a very nice run: you see many nice upscale homes surrounded by forest, Ponderosa Pines, leading into big and busy Flagstaff, a real mountain town. I spoke with many wonderful people and handed out copies of The Way to Happiness booklet.

I continued on with my journey and will soon reach New Mexico. More to follow!

For further information or volunteers please contact thetransusarun@gmail.com.

Crossing the Mojave by Judy Maguire (Crew Captain)

Crossing the Mojave is challenging enough in July, even driving - but doing it on foot!?!? “Downright CRAZY!” as a local from Essex told us.



Our first night of camping was a far cry from our graciously donated hotel room at the Holiday Inn Express in Barstow (thanks to lovely Wanda, the manager there) - but we made do with what appeared to be an abandoned train or bus station. We didn't get too much sleep, between the relentless heat and trains going by every hour or two, so were up for an early start by 6:00 a.m. After putting in 10-15 miles, we stopped at the “Bagdad Café” for a nice breakfast - where the actual movie was filmed. Soon we were off again continuing our trip.



We ended the day's run in the middle of nowhere again - so marked the spot carefully and spent the night in Ludlow's only motel. We are finding out that there is no real internet connection, in the middle of nowhere..

We did 36-37 miles the next day – we were determined to make it to "Amboy or Bust"! Meaning - "Anywhere", as opposed to - "Nowhere" again, as we'd had enough of that.. The Sheriff there kindly gave us a free camping spot as the motel was being remodeled and so wouldn't be open for another couple of years.. and also some fresh water to shower with (the taps were all salinated).

The next day after we ran on we found a "shoe tree", literally - a tree which many pedestrians passing through hung up their old shoes. There was also a "sock tree" a bit further down.. We put in 30 miles that day and ended up camping at the High Desert Oasis - which it truly was - a small truck stop "in the middle of nowhere", which had signs posted around for customers not to complain about their prices. They had the highest gas prices I've ever seen..



We drove back the next morning to where we had left off running the night before - and put one foot in front of the other again. Took a pit stop at "JR's Tires" and we had to take photos, due to the shared name with John Radich. JR & wife were very friendly and so we presented them with a The Way To Happiness DVD and booklet. Our destination that day was Goffs (population 12). Arriving there at 2:30pm gave us time to take real showers and hand-wash clothes - even taste a little bit of A/C (in the "cookhouse"). The property was impressive (the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association) – it was like an outdoor Wild West museum of all kinds of antique relics, cars, etc. It's hard to describe, so you'll just have to look at the photos. The Executive Director was most gracious to us.



The next day was a straight shot to Needles -totaling about 31 miles. Although it was mostly
downhill - the temperature was going uphill, in contrast - was around 120 by the time we made Needles!



That was the "end of the road" for me - I had to turn my car around there and get back to my life in LA. John still has a long ways to go - he inspired me. What keeps him so upbeat is his purpose in promoting The Way To Happiness Foundation as he knows that their programs really can improve the state of society.



If anyone out there is interested in helping to crew John or assist in any way - you would be most welcome! Please contact Judy Maguire or Patricia O’Brien under thetransusarun@gmail.com.

Summary over the past days from John’s crew captain Judy Maguire:

I drove to Monrovia on Monday July 5th, to John's trailer park there - and we put his stuff in my car. I discovered that he has lived in that town his whole life - I didn't know this! It has a small-town atmosphere and everyone there seemed to know him. We stopped for breakfast at Leroy's Cafe - a small-town, homey cafe - which was very crowded, as a lot of people were off from work, after the 4th. Everywhere we went, he was wished well by the people of the town. He started running down Route 66 (Huntington Dr.), while I did some last-minute shopping. The morning was cool & overcast - perfect running weather! We went as far as Rancho Cucamonga - about 22 miles. His brother Ron made a surprise visit just before we ended - and had been studying our route on his GPS and so told us in detail where we had been and where we were going - it was amazing!

We spent the night at San Bernardino at friend’s house there - who cooked us a nice steak dinner with desert. On Tuesday we drove back to where we had left off the day before - and continued on down the road, with me driving ahead 3-4 miles and waiting for John in a (hopefully) shady spot. That day we had a phone interview with the San Bernadino Sun, which appeared the next day. John has been handing out many The Way to Happiness booklets. Some of the highlights of this have been:

1) He handed out some to gang members, in Fontana - who honked and waved at us, later
down the road.
2) Yesterday, in a rough section of San Bernadino, we stopped and I gave a TWTH booklet to
a 19- year-old kid, who was trying to panhandle $ there. Then, some other kids came over,
asking for a booklet, so we gave them to them and took a photo (attached).
3) We then went to the CA Hwy Patrol - to let them know about the run and that we would be
running along the Hwy - and gave the officer there a TWTH (photo attached).



On Wednesday we started much earlier, as we were meeting a group of runners (called the San Bernadino Pacers), who paced us along a difficult and tricky stretch of highway called the Cajon Pass. The leader of this group had already read the article in the paper before we had a chance to even see it and 5 of the runners came out to support John and his cause.
As we were running, another long-time ultra-runner pulled up in a truck, who had read the blog - and so decided to come out and say hello. After running about 15 miles, we stopped for breakfast at the Summitt Inn - a very classic Route 66 diner type of place (photos attached) and met a 92-yr-old man named Enrique Barrios, who first introduced himself as a "white Mexican" and went on to tell us how he had been a competitive runner in the 1930's. He name-dropped a few names that most of us recognized - and so we knew that he was for real.



After the other runners left, it became hot and crowded outside (lots of traffic), but we pushed on into Victorville and made about 30 miles today.
Thursday, July 8th - We started today with an in-person interview, at a restaurant (Coco's - great organic coffee!). This was done by a young reporter from the Daily Press and maybe it will appear also in the Barstow paper.

Starting the run at 11:15am was a bit non-optimum, as it was already scorching hot! So I ensured that we had enough ice & water (and even bought a lawn chair with a canopy over it, to protect me from the sun - and for JR to sit in on breaks, etc.). I also checked the fluids in the car, as we had a long stretch through the desert ahead of us, with possibly no services in places. We stopped at a Route 66 Museum, on the way out of Victorville - very cute! We talked to people there about our run, and got some photos of a guy who was traveling the road with his dad, promoting a book they had written about the "Mother Road" (nickname for Route 66). It has sometimes been called "Main Street USA".

Throughout the afternoon, it got very hot - up to around 104 degrees! Both John and I wore long-sleeved white shirts, to protect us from the sun. JR was determined to make it to Barstow, so we pushed on - (he said that it was now reminding him of the Badwater race..!). We did make it into Barstow - a total of around 34 miles - by 8:00 pm. We were so excited and high morale that we went straight to a nice Holiday Inn Express. The General Manager was very nice granting us a night for free after explaining John’s cause and run.

Thank you very much to everybody who helped and supported us so far!

The Trans USA Run Officially Started!

Sunday, 4th of July, 2010 – John Radich started officially his run across the United States! He started off at the Santa Monica Pier following Route 66. His crew team Captain Judy Maquire keeps things organized and running smoothly. John's motivation is to help and supports with his running the youth programs of the non-profit organization The Way to Happiness (www.thewaytohappiness.org). Get the full report by Sun Bernardino Sun newspaper. Pictures will follow!

Coast-to-coast runner makes a stop in San Bernardino
Wesley G. Hughes, Staff Writer
http://www.sbsun.com/ci_15453932?IADID=Search-www.sbsun.com-www.sbsun.com

John Radich has harbored a wish to run across the United States since high school, and he's got a good start. He reached San Bernardino on Tuesday with at least 75 miles behind him already, and he'll be headed up Cajon Pass this morning with a couple of runners from San Bernardino.

"It will take me two months to reach Chicago and then on to Atlantic City to dip my toes in the ocean as I did in the Pacific," the Monrovia man said. Radich used to live in Muscoy and ran frequently in Lytle Creek. The purpose of the run is to help kids and keep them out of gangs, Radich said. His run is under the auspices of The Way to Happiness Foundation, which is based on a book by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology. Although he is a Scientologist, Radich said "the run has nothing to do with Scientology."

Radich began the run at the Santa Monica Pier and is following old Route 66 all the way to its
end in the Windy City. "From Atlantic City, it will be on to New York and then if I still have the horses I will end up in Washington at the Vietnam Memorial," Radich said. "If everything goes well, it will take 3 1/2 to 4 months. I expect to average 35 to 40 miles a day - at least 30," the runner estimated.

"The foundation gets kids involved. I'll be connecting with youth groups along the way," Radich said, admitting that he is in it for the recognition. "Making good works known" is part of the foundation's philosophy, he said. You can check it out online at thewaytohappiness.org.

It's not like Radich is new to running. "I've run across Europe three times. In 1999, I ran
from Athens to Hamburg. The cause was human rights." He's completed the 135-mile Death Valley to Mount Whitney run nine times, from 282 feet below sea level to an elevation of 8,000 feet, a climb of about a mile and a half. Radich is being followed by a support crew in a van, he said. Judy Maguire, 51, is his crew captain.

An Army veteran, he laughed and quipped, "When we get to Barstow, then I'm promoting her
to major."

The Trans USA Run - Running for Youth

John Radich, Ultra Marathoner, makes his dream become a reality. Starting in spring 2010 he will run across America. He will be starting in Santa Monica, CA, and running along the historic Route 66 into Chicago, continuing into New York and down to Washington, DC. A total of 3,700 miles!

Route 66 goes through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. Route 66 symbolized the renewed spirit of optimism that pervaded the country after economic catastrophe and global war. Often called, "The Main Street of America", it linked a remote and under-populated region with two vital 20th century cities - Chicago and Los Angeles.

Since 1979 John has completed hundreds of ultra marathons, covering a distance of more then 30,000 miles. He has run the famous Western States 100 mile trail race, he is the 3 time Arizona 6 Day Run winner in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 1999 John ran from Athens, Greece to Hamburg, Germany, for Human Rights. John has raised over $100,000 for various charities through his running efforts.

628,200 acts of violence per year. 17% of combatants carrying deadly weapons.. War zones? Inner-city gangs? Or organized crime? No. It's our nation's schools. Today's children will become tomorrow's civilization. The way to happiness has on its route the loving and the helping of children from babyhood to the brink of adult life. John's motivation is to help and supports with his running the non-profit organization The Way to Happiness.

The Way to Happiness International
The Way to Happiness Foundation International was established in 1984 with the mission of reversing the moral decay in society by restoring trust and honesty in the world through the publication and widespread distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet. Today the booklet is published in 94 languages. The Way to Happiness foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation with international headquarters in Glendale, CA, and offices throughout the world.

Based wholly on common sense, the moral code was first published in 1981 and has as
its purpose to help arrest the current moral decline in society and restore integrity and trust to man. Written by L. Ron Hubbard, the book fills the moral vacuum in an increasingly materialistic society. This code of conduct contains 21 basic principles that guide one to a better quality of life. Entirely nonreligious, it can be followed by anyone, of any race, color or creed and works to restore the bonds that unite humankind.

The Foundation coordinates public awareness campaigns worldwide. The centerpiece of the campaign is the award-winning series of 21 public service announcements, each depicting one of the principles from The Way to Happiness. These PSAs have been seen on television all over the world.

But the real power of the booklet is realized when it is distributed to others, hand to hand. In this way, one helps others survive better and lead happier lives. They, in turn, pass copies of the book to those whose lives they influence, encouraging others to treat their fellows with kindness, compassion and respect.


The Purpose of The Trans USA Run
The purpose is to fundraise for The Way to Happiness' campaigns (www.twth.org) and distribute as many booklets and PSA DVDs as possible and create a major impact. Media and other organizations will be contacted along John's course when he passes by. We can thereby support youth to make the right choices through trust, honesty and restoring common sense values, which all cultures and creeds agree with. Kids are our future and this being a worthy purpose, with crime, drugs, intolerance all rampant in our society, this concerns us all.

The Way to Happiness has precepts such as:

● Love and help children
● Try not to do things to others that you would not like them to do to you
● Safeguard and improve your environment
● Don't do anything illegal

Success from Youth
"My school reports contained 'As', but only in the word 'absent'. My parents left a copy of The Way to Happiness on my bed one day, and I sat down and read it. The book contained many ideas and concepts that I had always wanted to live up to, but had failed at, even some real simple ones that I thought weren't a problem for me, such as 'Be worthy of trust', but in fact had failed at, too. Something happened to me when I stared that cold hard fact in the face, and realized I was not worthy of trust. I decided to change."

Contributions
Donations
As with almost any activity in life, we require financial energy to make the Trans USA run. Your support is essential to our success. Remember that all contributions are tax deductible. Please add the code "JR" to your donation if done via phone.

Donate by Internet
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=945094

Donate by Phone
Call The Way to Happiness International at (818) 254-0600.
U.S. residents can call toll free at (800) 255-7906.


Volunteers/Fundraisers
We need volunteers for events coordination, organizational tasks and fundraiser over a period of about 3-4 months. You can choose the amount of time you would like to dedicate per week. Contact: Richard Ettricks, cell 323 377 5409 or Patricia O'Brien, email: thetransusarun@gmail.com.


To get in touch with John Radidch in person, please contact: jrultrarun@yahoo.com.