The official logo for P.A.C.E. Run 2006.
Paul and his support stroller ("BOB" - Beast Of Burden) ready for the 3,260-mile, 15-state solo run across the United States. June 23, 2006.
"BOB" - The "Beast Of Burden". It's a "beast" because it weighs 80 pounds fully loaded. It's a "burden" because Paul has to push it every step of the way!
Paul with his family and some friends who came together to see him off on his journey across America.
Paul going to collect some sand and water from the Pacific Ocean prior to the start of the coast-to-coast run.
Paul collecting some sand and water from the Pacific Ocean.
Dipping the front wheel of "BOB" before the journey begins.
The first few steps of P.A.C.E. Run 2006!
Paul being accompanied by his children at the start of the run.
At the three-mile mark of the run.
At the finishing point of day one... Camp 18.
Paul runs into Bigfoot only 20 miles into the journey.
Whew! Survived running through the first tunnel.
Going up Oregon's coastal mountains.
Taking a break near Portland, Oregon in 102-degree weather.
Working my way out of Portland, Oregon.
Getting closer to the Washington border!
Even though Oregon was experiencing record-breaking temperatures for late June (over 100 degrees), the flowers still looked beautiful.
Taking a pause in the navigating of Portland, Oregon.
Done with Oregon... ready to take on Washington. The knee brace was just temporary for a few days due to an IT band flare up.
This sign was sooooo true!
The Columbia River Gorge just after sunrise.
Guess that's not the kind of "Flagger" the sign meant!
Parts of the route followed the historic Lewis & Clark Trail.
Taking a break along the road.
Passed right by the Pacific Crest Trail.
Dangerous tunnels due to no shoulder and 50 mph speed limit for cars.
Paul Staso and Martin Huffman.
BOB... the mighty stroller.
The road along the western portion of the Columbia River Gorge (on the north side of the gorge).
What an ant sees.
Another day on the road.
"BOB" with the Columbia River Gorge in the background.
Taking a break for some salty Pringles on a 103-degree day.
Looking like it's time to shave!
Good thing "BOB" doesn't need gas!
Running the white line.
When there's no shade for miles... make shade!
Roosevelt, Washington.
ASICS... Paul's running shoe of choice.
Running some rough pavement along the Columbia River Gorge.
A few clouds can make a hot runner smile!
What Paul saw all across America.
Check out the beaks!
Having a great time!
The people at Woodward Canyon Winery in eastern Washington were absolutely wonderful, even paying my lodging for an evening.
I'm just a running down the road...
Logging the miles in Washington state.
Paul, BOB and wheat. Enough said.
Dixie, Washington.
Eastern Washington.
Look at how much shoulder of the road there is. BOB is on its side because I had to jump from an inattentive motorist who literally came into the shoulder.
Rolling farmland in Eastern Washington.
Moving down the road in eastern Washington.
Stepping out.
Sticking to the white line.
A photographer stopped and took this picture of me and "BOB".
Hanging out roadside.
"BOB" and Paul... crossing America one step, and one roll, at a time.
The mighty "BOB".
The solar panel on "BOB" did a good job of keeping electronics charged.
What's around the next bend?
A hospital donated a room for an evening. Here I am chatting with my family on the phone.
BOB was at maximum capacity for the 15-state run.
A dinosaur and shark in Eastern Washington!
Alligator attacks runner! Story at 11:00pm!
A nice welcome from Quality Inn & Suites.
Entering Idaho after conquering Washington state.
BOB and an old train in Lewiston, Idaho.
TeePees along the Clearwater River in Idaho. I actually spent an evening here.
The kind folks at the Clearwater River Company (Lenore, Idaho) that allowed me to spend an evening.
This is a piece of bark that flew off of a logging truck and struck me while running along the narrow Highway 12 in northern Idaho.
Big logging truck + narrow road = DANGEROUS!
It was great to be in the mountains and have trees around me.
A typical sight along the more desolate parts of the route.
Loving the Clearwater River!
My reflection in BOB's rearview mirror.
Young visitors along the roadway encouraged me.
Taking some time to cool my feet on a 95-degree day in Idaho.
The result of the first 500 miles of running in daily heat averaging 95 degrees.
Another place to sleep (Northern Idaho).
Although I'm not Superman, it was neat to see an actual "Lois Lane".
Starting another day on the road in northern Idaho.
Took about 500 miles before BOB got its first flat tire.
Highway 12 in Idaho had very little shoulder!
Enjoying the beauty of northern Idaho.
Some friends from my hometown (Missoula, Montana) set this sign out along a narrow portion of Highway 12 in northern Idaho. I appreciated their concern!
A group of college cyclists that I met while in a campground in Idaho. They were going across America at 55 miles per day and on this particular day I had run 40 miles. They were amazed!
The Bixler family from Missoula (my hometown) drove their motorhome about 80 miles east of Missoula to provide lodging a couple of nights in a remote forest area.
Pushing up Lolo Pass as I head for the Montana border (at the top!).
A quiet road on Lolo Pass.
Made it to my home state... MONTANA!
As I entered Montana I met Gracie Sorbello from Davis, California who became the first woman to unicycle across the United States. She went east to west.
Curious Llamas check out the runner with the bright yellow stroller.
The final two miles to my hometown of Missoula, Montana.
Running to Russell Elementary in Missoula with some kids joining me while being filmed by KPAX T.V. news.
Signs at Russell Elementary in Missoula, Montana. I ran across America to keep a promise to 97 students at this school. Complete details are at www.pacerun.com.
BOB at Russell Elementary before we leave Missoula, Montana to continue toward the Atlantic Ocean.
I, Paul, earned two B.A. degrees from the University of Montana.
BOB at the University of Montana (July 2006)
At the PAWS Up Resort in Greenough, Montana. I actually spent an evening in their "Tent City" - which was donated.
Comfortable place to spend an evening... and beautiful surroundings!
An early start to the day with "BOB".
Skip Hayes and a neighbor boy at the Cochran Ranch in Helmville, Montana. Skip was a great host!
Leaving Helmville, Montana to begin a 30-mile day.
Entering Powell County at the top of the Continental Divide.
The highest point in the U.S. run (6,325 feet).
Looking down on the valley leading to Montana's capital city - Helena.
In the office of Montana's Lieutenant Governor, John Bohlinger. Rubbing the nose of the buffalo was supposed to bring good luck.
At Montana's capital with Lieutenant Governor, John Bohlinger.
On the steps of Montana's capital with Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger.
In Townsend, Montana after a 34-mile day in 100-degree temperatures.
The only cabin that I stayed in on the trip... in Montana!
A hazy morning due to forest fire smoke in the area. Notice that the rising sun is red just over the stroller.
Hello from the road!
You use what you can to ice. Check out those tan lines!
Just me and my shadow.
Which will last longer... my legs or BOB?
My legs after the first 900 miles of the 3,260-mile journey. This is the result of having most days between 90 and 105 degrees.
Pushing BOB along.
A funny roadside sight.
REALLY? This is a golf course?
Roadside beauty.
Rumble strips always provided a little bit of protection because it would alert inattentive drivers to NOT KILL ME!
I saw more cows on the run than I could ever count!
I ran 945 miles before I saw the first raindrop. It was a welcomed bit of relief after the 5 weeks of pounding the pavement in the record-breaking heat.
The first rain at 945 miles. It only lasted 10 minutes, but it felt great!
One lone horse is curious about this runner.
Running along with a possible storm building behind me.
My daughter, Jenna, gave this to me before I left. It was on the stroller for the entire run across America.
BOB was becoming a character, of sorts, during the run and started to be welcomed wherever I went!
Another beautiful sunrise to start my day with in Montana.
Two deer get startled by my running past early in the morning.
A single tree growing in a landscape of rock. I believe it is a symbol of the determination of life.
Getting a little crazy with BOB somewhere in eastern Montana.
I couldn't actually ride on BOB, although there were certainly days that I wished I could!
Grasshoppers were a constant nuisance as I ran along the road's edge in eastern Montana.
Most of my route in Montana was on Highway 12.
More roadside beauty.
Heading off into a morning sunrise in eastern Montana.
Following the white line across America.
The 1,000 mile mark in eastern Montana.
Notice that the temperature is "Falling". Yes... it was a HOT summer!
I raced antelope in eastern Montana. No... I didn't win.
This little guy was along the road and was likely wondering what in the world I was doing out there.
100 degrees... 35 mile day... no trees... no people... lots of open road in Montana.
Running toward the North Dakota border.
Not much shoulder on the edge of the road in eastern Montana... but then again, you could go a couple of hours before seeing a car!
Saw this ice cream container along the edge of the road. Sadly, it was empty.
This is definitely a "fixer upper"!
A little rabbit found the only shade I could see for miles on a 100-degree day in eastern Montana.
Ingomar, Montana... the only place to sleep and eat for 100 miles in any direction!
The "Bunk-n-Biscuit"... an old school house that has been converted to lodge overnight guests.
The "Executive Suite" in the Bunk-n-Biscuit (Ingomar, Montana).
Here's what welcomed me to the "Bunk-n-Biscuit" in Ingomar, Montana.
Even though I was in the middle of nowhere (Ingomar, Montana), there was still a place to sleep, eat - even ice cream! - and to get a bag of ice!
Leaving Ingomar, Montana at 3:30am to try and beat the upcoming day's 100-degree temperature.
Sunrise on my way to Forsyth, Montana.
Hello from eastern Montana!
The ribcage of an animal. I was hoping I wouldn't end up looking like this!
Paul and "BOB"
A break in the clouds seems to point the way.
A different perspective of "BOB"
Sometimes the wind would blow so hard on the plains that I felt like I would blow away like a tumbleweed!
The summer of 2006 was the second hottest summer ever recorded in the United States, so this fire danger sign is very accurate!
Another beautiful sunrise greets me on the road.
Leaving Miles City, Montana on Highway 12.
Most of the rivers in eastern Montana were either entirely dried up or just had a small amount of water - such as in this picture of the Powder River.
Paul Staso with Karen Huckins on Highway 12 east of Miles City, Montana.
Paul with his Montana flag as he nears the Montana/North Dakota border.
Things are looking up!
Hair drenched in sweat from the constant 100-degree days in eastern Montana.
"BOB" and an oil well in eastern Montana.
Wide open road leading to North Dakota.
Just hanging out at the Lewis and Clark Highway.
I wasn't actually coming into Montana, but rather leaving Montana heading into North Dakota. However, I just had to get a picture with this sign.
Slightly excited to finally reach North Dakota after conquering 620 miles across Montana.
Nellie Rost lives in Marmarth, North Dakota and opened her home to this cross country runner.
Leaving Marmarth, North Dakota for another day on the road.
YIKES! Thank goodness it wasn't real!
Taking a break on a hay bail.
Southwest North Dakota.
Bowman, North Dakota. Paul with Roy and Bev Buckmier and Mayor Lynn James.
I was 41 years old when I ran across America.
Taking a break and still feeling good in North Dakota.
Trust me... you can't move these round hay monsters.
I wonder what "Uff Da Day" is like in Reeder, North Dakota!
In Hettinger, North Dakota with Grace and Magnus Meier and their family.
With Gwyn Walter, who joined me for 12 miles in North Dakota.
Helloooooooo South Dakota!
Just what "BOB" hates!
Meandering along in South Dakota.
Lemmon, South Dakota.
At the Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon, South Dakota.
Feeling good on the open road of South Dakota after 1,368 miles.
This little turtle just couldn't compete with "BOB" and I.
What are you going to do? Road work is something you just have to deal with when running across a continent.
"BOB" and one of the countless trains I saw along the way.
Let's see... I think I remember where this picture was taken. Hmm... I believe it was McLaughlin, South Dakota.
My view from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Plenty of land left to conquer!
With my daughter, Ashlin.
With my daughter, Jenna.
With my son, Kyler.
With my son, Brian.
Saw this in a gas station window in South Dakota on a 100-degree day.
It was an incredibly hot summer. The average temperature for the first half of the U.S. run was 95 degrees.
Looking pretty slim.
Wearing ear plugs due to the constant howling winds in South Dakota.
Visiting "Story Book Land" as well as the "Land of Oz" in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
At "Story Book Land" and the "Land of Oz" in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
With my kids at "Story Book Land" in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
At "Story Book Land" in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Jenna and Kyler joined me and the Gingerbread Man for this picture.
Having fun in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Morning sunrise outside of Aberdeen, South Dakota.
South Dakota farmland.
It was an incredibly dry summer, the second hottest ever recorded in the United States. The grass in the background is only green because of a sprinkler system.
At Rush Lake in eastern South Dakota - the halfway point of the run!
Another incredible sunrise.
Entering Minnesota and feeling strong.
Heading East!
Some runners joined me in Minnesota... in a relay fashion.
... Under God... Liberty and Justice for All.
Time to break out my umbrella hat! This was given to me by my son, Kyler, to use on the run.
Trudging along in heavy rain in Minnesota.
The passing semi-trucks would give me a shower!
The rains lighten up and a straight Minnesota highway awaits.
Creative Minnesota artwork.
Nearly 2,000 miles into the run and the Minnesota corn is taller than me!
Cute little country church in Minnesota.
I missed this event, but I bet it was a lot of fun!
Roadside in Minnesota, enjoying the sun and a DQ!
Arriving at the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Hanging out at the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.
A piece of history at the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.
Childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
With Nicole Elzenga, the Collections Manager of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.
I turned a few heads as I ran past this farm!
An incredible sight above me on a Minnesota road.
With the high school volleyball team in Springfield, Minnesota.
Leaving Walnut Grove, Minnesota.
Time for a new pair of shoes!
This is a book containing notes of encouragement from the 97 children at Russell Elementary (Missoula, Montana) to whom I was keeping my promise.
Now that's one big ear of corn!
More Minnesota rain, but still smiling!
That dog sure has a big bite!
Nearing time for a haircut!
As I was nearing Rochester, Minnesota this wonderful family presented me with M&M's, PowerAde, and some homemade cookies!
Speaking to some school children on the grounds of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Rochester, Minnesota mayor Ardell Brede (far left) and others gather for the weekly "Wednesday Walk" at noon.
At Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial in Rochester, Minnesota.
Presented to me at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
In Amish Country - Minnesota.
Finally... Iowa! The sign reads "Fields of Opportunities", but should have read "Shoulders of Gravel". The shoulders of the roads were lots of gravel, as can be seen in the foreground.
A clever way to show that I'm at the 2,000-mile mark of the run!
A near tragedy due to an inattentive driver in Iowa.
Getting soaked in northern Iowa.
The shoulders of the road turned to mud and slowed progress in Iowa.
"BOB"... getting soaked and going through mud.
Determined to get through an Iowa rainstorm.
Listening to some music to drown out the constant rain.
There was flooding in Iowa and if you look closely you can see the rain bouncing hard off of the road's surface.
Resting in a hotel after battling a full day of rain in Iowa.
My daughter, Ashlin, gave this to me before the run.
A roadside visit from Amanda Freese, a high school vocal music teacher and avid runner from the town of Marion, Iowa. She gave me a t-shirt from her high school as well as a nice card and some energy food.
This was the constant view along the shoulder of the road in Iowa.
A piece of history in Iowa... an old schoolhouse over 100 years old.
When you gotta go, you gotta go!
Sunrise on an Iowa cornfield.
Curious Hog!
The two large bins are filled with corn.
Running through the Iowa countryside.
Time for a Hershey's break!
Stepping out across America.
Looks like a storm is rolling in (Iowa).
Whew... made it to Illinois!
Hanging out roadside in Illinois.
HAY DUDE! Very clever.
Not much shoulder along the Illinois roads.
"BOB" and Paul in Illinois.
Praying Mantis in Illinois.
For those of you who don't know, there are old signs in various places across America citing the distance to Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota.
With the Farmington Junior High cross country team in Farmington, Illinois.
With Zang and Bluma Freed in Peoria, Illinois.
Fixing another flat tire outside of Peoria, Illinois.
With Dave Tapp in Eureka, Illinois.
Early morning fog in eastern Illinois.
This is what greeted me as I ran into Watseka, Illinois.
Flashing a smile since I'm about to complete the state of Illinois.
At the Illinois/Indiana border.
At the "Crossroads of America"... Indiana!
Hmm... a little paint, some glass and perhaps a new roof and this could maybe be a home again. Okay, perhaps it needs more than that!
Empty roads in Indiana.
A nice sign at the Logansport, Indiana YMCA.
It seemed like there was encouragement around every corner.
Not much left in this field!
Tying my shoe. Yep... exciting picture!
On Highway 124 in Indiana. Pretty quiet road.
Bill Bauman of Logansport, Indiana was a real encouragement to me during my time in that area!
Roadside in Indiana.
Taken by a newspaper reporter in Indiana.
An Indiana rainstorm.
"Delaware or Bust!"... another newspaper article.
Entering Bluffton, Indiana.
Speaking to a group of young after school runners in Bluffton, Indiana.
A great group of kids in Bluffton, Indiana.
I love opportunities to meet with kids!
Amish country... Indiana.
OH YEAH! OHIO!!
With Kay & Dick Patrick in Ohio.
With the Northern Ohio University Baseball Team.
Starting another day on the road in Ohio.
Low morning fog in Ohio.
Sunrise in Ohio.
Three crosses along the road in Ohio.
Eyes fixed on getting to Delaware.
Tracks rolling coal across Ohio.
Family friends... Scott & Jo Lynn Brooks and their kids in Ohio.
The cheapest gas I saw during the entire journey... and it happened to be at a "marathon" gas station!
Icing the feet after a 40-mile day in Ohio.
I did a radio interview in Ohio and took this picture with the reporter and radion station manager.
Nearing West Virginia.
The autumn colors of early October.
A very old car!
West Virginia.
Beautiful scenery in West Virginia.
It must be October!
Thick morning fog in West Virginia.
One of the many old homes I saw in the backwoods of West Virginia.
Enjoying the autumn colors and cooler temperatures!
Heading for Maryland.
Beautiful West Virginia Country Roads.
The roads in West Virginia got rather narrow, no shoulder, and presented many blind curves.
The view while crossing a bridge in West Virginia.
Some of the dangerous roads of West Virginia. Traffic would roll rather fast and there was not much room in places to get off the road.
Morning fog in West Virginia.
At Cathedral State Park in West Virginia.
Getting closer to Maryland!
Entering Maryland... and hoping that the drivers would take the advice posted on the sign: "Please Drive Gently"
Getting a picture with the West Virginia sign as I entered Maryland, since when I entered WV there was no place to get a picture with the sign. Better late than never!
Arriving at the 3,000 mile mark of the run!
The mountains of West Virginia were often at a 9% grade, which made both going up and going down demanding on my legs.
West Virginia's Oldest County!
Coming into Virginia on a nice day.
These stacked rock walls went on for miles in Virginia.
I loved the large trees along the road's edge in Virginia.
At the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.
A moment at the Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia.
Rick Poppleton ran with me the final 8 miles to the entrance of Washington, D.C.
At the White House in Washington, D.C. - an incredible moment!
The National Mall is in the background (Washington, D.C.)
At the U.S. Capital.
At the U.S. Supreme Court.
Heading over the U.S. Naval Academy Bridge.
At the Washington D.C. office of Montana Senator Max Baucus. Unfortunately, he was out of town.
Beautiful scenery in eastern Maryland.
DELAWARE! My final state! I can't even begin to describe how it felt to see that sign.
The final day started with rain, but it cleared up before I reached the beach!
Local school children from Shields Elementary cheer me on from their buses the morning of my finish on October 20, 2006.
A student showing support.
Encouraging students at Shields Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware.
I loved the handmade signs that the students of Shields Elementary made to encourage me the final two miles to the finish line.
Shields Elementary students awaiting my arrival.
Arriving at Shields Elementary in Lewes, Delaware.
Running past the cheering students of Shields Elementary School in Lewes, Delaware with only a couple miles remaining until reaching the Atlantic Ocean on October 20, 2006.
In the final mile at Cape Henlopen State Park.
Bill Bauman and my children run with me for a few yards to the boardwalk in Cape Henlopen State Park.
Heading up the boardwalk to the Atlantic Ocean with my kids surrounding me.
There it is! The ocean that I've waited to see!
The final steps of P.A.C.E. Run 2006.
FINALLY! After 3,260 miles of running alone I reach the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Henlopen State Park (Lewes, Delaware).
Complete Joy!
Hugging my youngest son, Brian (age 6), at the finish of the run across America.
A smile 15 states in the making.
Taking a minute to soak it all in.
A picture with "BOB" (Beast Of Burden) - the support stroller that I pushed from the Oregon Coast to the Delaware Coast.
Relief!
Gathering some sand and water from the Delaware coast to go along with the sand and water that I collected from the Pacific Ocean at the start of the run.
I waited a long time to hold that jar of sand and water!
People that came out to see the finish.
People that came to see the end of the 3,260-mile journey.
Danny MacElrevey of Lewes, Delaware reads a nice note of congratulations sent from some friends back home.
After 108 days of running... and never having to spend a night in my tent... Stacey and Diana (two ladies back home who arranged my lodging across America) had a tent set up at the finish as a joke.
Lois of the Clearwater River Company in Idaho (a place I stayed) was at a reunion on the east coast and came out to see the finish.
Bill Bauman drove 24-hours round trip from his home in Indiana to see the finish of P.A.C.E. Run 2006. Thanks Bill!
Peter Tracey, an attorney in Washington D.C., opened his home to me and came out to see the finish.
Two officers from Lewes, Delaware who escorted me the final 2 miles to the finish line.
Me and my daughter, Ashlin, at the finish. The entire endeavor began with a conversation she and I had in June 2005 about youth fitness.
The support stroller, "BOB", did an amazing job.
"BOB" technically finished first since it was always a stride in front of me.
A picture with "BOB" (Beast of Burden)... a stroller that was my sole companion from coast to coast.
