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Scott Adams runs 700 miles across North Carolina
July 16, 2008— As he ran the steep inclines of North Carolina’s mountains to the west, across the piedmont in 100 plus degree weather, through the smoldering fires and smoke of the coastal region, it was thoughts of those who have been lost to cancer and those who continue to suffer from the disease that spurred Scott Adams on toward his goal of running nearly 700 miles across the state to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer.
Adams, director of Information Technology at the School of Information and Library Science, began his trek in Murphy on the western side of the state on May 27. He ran eastward toward Manteo enduring unprecedented 100 degree temperatures—the type of heat that you can see wave over the pavement—the type that melts the tread of your shoes, heavy trucks that nearly blew him off the side of the road, blisters the size of quarters and painful muscles and joints. Then there were the dogs… those that chased him until they gave up.
He went through five pairs of running shoes and changed socks 10 times each day. He completed the 18-day run along North Carolina Bike Route 2 on Friday, June 13.
Planning the Run
Adams repeated a similar running strategy he had used to complete another super-run of over 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in four days in 2005—covering 50 miles a day. With this run, however, Adams ran for six days at a time and then took one day to rest. Mapping out the trail, he repeated the six day cycle of running nearly two marathons a day until his feet touched the cool waters of the Outer Banks.
Training to prepare for his trek began Dec. 22, 2007. He ran 20-25 hours a week, learning to manage pain and dealing with constantly being hungry.
Along the carefully mapped route, there were necessary detours. The first change came when he encountered the Blue Ridge Parkway closing from Asheville to Mount Mitchell. The second change was made when the map indicated a road went through an area near the Raleigh Durham Airport that actually was a dead-end. Another needed change was an alternate route to take the runner away from the heavy smoke he was traveling through near the fires on the coast.
Providing Support
Adams contributes reaching his goal to those who provided support along the way. He says he couldn’t have completed his run without the support of his family and friends, including many UNC at Chapel Hill colleagues.
His wife, Mindy, and 9-year-old son, Tyler, were with him over the last four days of the run. Other supporters would meet him on the route usually in teams of two. The crew would drive every couple of miles mapping the way for Scott. At times someone would run or bike alongside and share the experience of the scenery of hills and farms. The support crews were always there to ensure food, water, ice, dry socks and shade (for the occasional breaks) were ready. Others leant moral support by being at known break points to cheer him on. Some of the supporters included fellow runners, Diane Kelly, 
assistant professor at SILS; Les Chaffin, SILS alumnus; Kristin Chaffin, SILS alumna and former UNC faculty; Jeremiah Joyner, manager of Applications and Platforms, Information Technology Services; graduate students Liz Peters and Stacy Lunden; and Marsha Torres, UNC at Chapel Hill alumna. Adams’ SILS colleagues Lara Bailey, Aaron Brubaker, Stephanie Peterson, Marcia Tauber and Wanda Monroe, as well as Wayne Pond, former director of UNC’s Humanities and Human Values and his wife Mary Donna cheered him on as he ran through Carrboro, about two thirds on the way to his final goal.
Donating to the Cause
Although completing the run was a personal goal for Adams, it was more than that. He partnered with the American Cancer Society, dedicating his run to “those who have fought the fight and those who continue to fight against this disease.”
“Ever since watching the Terry Fox story as a kid, it’s always been a goal to run across the United States,” said Adams. “As he inspired me so long ago, I hope to inspire others with what seems almost impossible to accomplish. Knowing that I was running for more than myself was a sustaining force to take one step at a time toward the goal for the six months of training to the 18 day adventure.”
To date, over $10,000 has been donated on behalf of the run, including a gift by a man along the route who was suffering with cancer.
Along with radio and television interviews, several news articles were published about Adams’ accomplishment in the local newspapers. On June 17, Adams was named Village Pride Award honoree on WCHL radio.
"It was an honor to help Scott with his run across the state," said Kelly. "This run provided all of us with a unique opportunity to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Helping a dear, determined friend accomplish such an amazing and unbelievable goal was the biggest treat. The dedication, discipline and passion that Scott exhibited during this run, as well as during the hours and hours of training, are a reflection of his true character. He is just as dedicated to our school, the university and to students. We are lucky that he is part of SILS."
"We are all so proud and inspired by this accomplishment and support of our strong loved
ones who are fighting or who have fought the good fight against cancer," said Catherine Lazorko, a member of Adams' running group, the Runnegades. "Scott, thanks for making us a part of your magnificent journey!"
To view more about the run or to join Adams quest to fight cancer, visit the RunNC2008 Web site at: http://runnc2008.ning.com/
Donations are still being accepted through the American Cancer Society. To contribute, access the Web site: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/runnc2008