Journey To The Unknown

People may try to understand why a handful of runners would want to run day after day for almost two months around a half mile concrete surface during the summer months in New York City. Most of these runners have done it more than once, so there is even more reason to wonder why they would want to do it again after experiencing the tremendous challenges and difficulties involved in such a very long and arduous journey.

The runners may have heir own answers to such a perplexing question as to why they would attempt it once or even more. Having done it twice myself and helping in most of the other races as well, I can talk about the experience for hours. But the words may still not make any sense to those who have not experienced the race in some way or another, either as a runner, a helper or a regular spectator.

Instead of offering any kind of explanation that would probably fall short of satisfying the mind’s curiosity or cynical queries, I am offering this poem about the 3100 mile race which I wrote in 2002, a few years before I even attempted to run the race. I offer it here to those who feel that perhaps there is a reason beyond the logic and rationality of the mind that motivates and inspires these ‘fearless warriors’ to face a peaceful and sometimes painful battle within themselves to reach such a lofty goal.

Without further introduction here is the poem which I hope you can enjoy as a peak into the mystery of the incredible 3100 mile odyssey on foot.

Journey to the Unknown

A 3,100 mile orbit of concrete, automobiles and local humanity,                                              

Lightly spiced with a hint of nature                                                                                                 

And fed by the Grace of God,                                                                                            

Supported with the efforts of friends                                                                                                                          

Who sympathize with the pain,                                                                                                               

The Joys                                                                                                                                             

And the challenges                                                                                                                          

Facing at every moment                                                                                                                      

These handful of Hero-Warriors.

Running, walking, struggling                                                                                                                             

To the beat of their own                                                                                                                         

Undying aspirations                                                                                                                                     

 In this perpetually moving                                                                                                                     

Epic adventure,                                                                                                                                           

These Ultimate Survivors                                                                                                                                 

Of obstacles unimaginable                                                                                                                         

Are proving to humanity                                                                                                                               

With their unparalleled perseverance,                                                                           

Adamantine wills                                                                                                             

And unswerving Faith,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 That the impossible can be done,                                                                                                                

And the Universal Energy                                                                                                                           

Can be unleashed,                                                                                                                                         

To raise our standards                                                                                                                                            

And lift our minds                                                                                                                                                     

Beyond the limits of our broken bodies                                                                                                       

And faithless thoughts,                                                                                                                              

To reveal the Beauty and the Power                                                                                                         

Of life’s long and arduous                                                                                                                  

Journey to the Unknown.

                                          Arpan DeAngelo