New Jersey man to run from High Point Monument to Cape May Point Lighthouse for a good cause
NEW JERSEY – A 32-year-old New Jersey man intended to run the entire length of the state, 198 miles in less than two days, all for a good cause.
Cole Crosby of Princeton will start his “point 2 point” run at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday from High Point Monument in Sussex County and will finish at the Cape May Point Lighthouse in Cape May County on Sunday evening. To view the route of his run. click here.
The money raised from his GoFundMe page, will benefit the Road Runners Club of America because with most road races canceled in 2020, there has not been funding going to many of these charities that do depend on the support. The Road Runners Club has a program “Kids Run the Nation” that helps fund youth running programs and felt that this would be a great organization to support, Crosby said.
“Runners are very selfless individuals as is seen with all of the charity runs, 5ks and charity groups in marathons. We love to give back to our communities,” Crosby said.
Crosby coined the title “point 2 point” since it connects two distinct points in New Jersey.
“My inspiration came this time a year ago. I was planning out my year of ultra marathons and prepping for my trip to Japan for the World Snowshoe Running Championships as a part of team USA 🇺🇸 and I wondered if anyone had ever run the length of NJ?,” Crosby said.
“I looked into google and hit other searches and couldn’t really find anything except for one documentary on YouTube called the “NJ 184”. After watching that, I was inspired to recreate this route and look to do it as fast as I can. That’s where the goal of 40 hours came to mind, Crosby said.
Crosby has been preparing for this run in 2020 as the inspiration to take on such a feat started around this time last year.
“I’ve been a runner most of my life,” Crosby said. “Starting with always being the kid that could run circles around the others in other sports. I then started cross country and track and 6th grade, ran high school cross country and track , walked on at the University of Oklahoma, and then transitioned into marathons and trail races and have kept it up ever since.”
Crosby has been competing in ultra marathons from 50k-100 miles for the last 8 years focusing on many of the USATF ultra championship events. He has been placed in the top 5 and more recently placed 2nd at both the USA 50 mile trail and road championships in 2019.
“I’ve learned most about myself that given tough conditions- snow, sleet, ice, rain; you name it- I don’t give in and always push beyond what others might think I’m capable of. And now, I want to see how far and fast I can go no matter what the weather conditions on the day bring,” Crosby said.
“I think in life, we have to take calculated risks sometimes and follow what our hearts tell us. 2020 has given me that chance to look within myself and truly find something that’s been there all along that I want to share with the world. Will and determination are a skill, and I think I am finding my way,” Crosby said.
“I hope that by doing this run, I can bring some pride to New Jersey residents and help showcase the great running community in New Jersey along with showing that NJ is an outdoor state and its an incredible place to live and play in,” Crosby said.
His wife, Ashlee and father, chuck will be riding in separate crew vehicles which will carry all of his supplies for the run.
“I want this run to go over well and be something that can be a great example for our NJ community and for the whole Community of runners and ultra runners out there,” Crosby said.
His goal is 40 hours and is expected to finish in Cape May at around 6:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. on Sunday., Crosby said.
To donate to his GoFundMe page, click here.
