STURGIS, S.D. – Noah Coughlan is on his fourth trip across America on foot and he made a pitstop in Sturgis on Thursday night. Coughlan’s journey is called “Run For Revival” and his goal is to honor Veterans in towns across the Nation. He previously completed runs across the country in 2011, 2013 and 2015 to bring awareness to rare diseases that afflict more than 30 million Americans. During those runs, another cause appeared to him as he met people in towns of all sizes.
“What I noticed through those first three runs that there was another story developing and that was the American Veteran,” Coughlan said. “2023 gave me a perfect opportunity to do the fourth run, but I have a lot of wear and tear on my body, I’m 39 years old. This is a 167 day tribute to the American soldier. My goal is to just thank them and honor them.”
Coughlan is a native of Vacaville, CA and he has seen firsthand the effect that Veterans have on their communities.
“Run For Revival is my way of honoring the United States Military. You’ll find that in big cities and small towns that military members enrich their community, they keep serving after they get home. Veterans become first responders, police officers, sheriffs, teachers, and without that, we don’t have an America. They bind our communities together like glue. I just want to share that with the rest of the world.”
Coughlan began his solo run in Blaine, Washington on Memorial Day and his plan is to finish on Veterans Day on a beach to be determined in Miami. He is averaging 20-30 miles per day and reached Sturgis on Day 60, about 1200 miles into the 3500 mile trip. Noah relies on local organizations to help him along the way.
“When I get to a town, I’ve been very fortunate to work with sheriffs, fire departments, rotary clubs, business owners and you get to see the kindness of the American people. I have found that we have a lot more in common than we do apart.”
Coughlan carries his food, water and supplies in a jogging stroller, outfitted with an eight foot pole and a very special American flag, flown for him during Operation Inherent Resolve by the U.S. Air Force on a KC-10 refueling aircraft. The airmen had one request for Coughlan.
“They gave me one rule – don’t let it touch the ground! That’s my only job. I’m grateful to be in a position to run again and I am very vigiliant, very serious about it.“
Noah invites everyone to follow his progress through his Instagram page, “Noah On The Run”. Coughlan left Sturgis Friday with an escort from the American Legion Riders and the Sturgis Police Department. His next stop is Rapid City, on his way through South Dakota.
Below is Couglan beginning his run Friday morning to leave Sturgis:
