Student runs for awareness

Ken Aden will race 1,000 miles to raise funds for Ray of Hope Food Pantry

Running a 5K race or a half marathon is no small feat, but it is not impossible. Running 1,000 miles across four states in the span of 12 days, however, seems a bit daunting. For Liberty University Online (LUO) senior Ken Aden, the cause behind the Running 4 Hunger race is what gives him the strength and determination he needs to make it through this long trek.

sPEED — Ken Aden, pictured above with his wife, must run 1,000 miles in 12 days. Photo provided

SPEED — Ken Aden, pictured above with his wife, must run 1,000 miles in 12 days. Photo provided

This 1,000-mile, cross-country, endurance race is the first of its kind to be completed for the Ray of Hope Food Pantry located in Russellville, Arkansas. All funds pledged will go toward the construction of a multi-use facility for the homeless and economically disadvantaged within Pope County, Arkansas.

Aden will be starting the race from the office of Ray of Hope Food Pantry July 31, 2015, and is expected to end his journey at Liberty University in Virginia before midnight Aug. 11, 2015.

Aden majored in religious and biblical studies through Liberty’s online program and is currently working toward starting his master’s degree in religion education this coming fall. His ultimate goal is to further his studies at Liberty by pursuing a doctorate in philosophy and apologetics or education.

The first long-distance run held by Ray of Hope Food Pantry was the Run 2 End Hunger event, which was 210 miles in seven days, according to the Running 4 Hunger press release. The second run was the Run 2 End Hunger 2, which was a total distance of 253 miles in seven days.

According to Aden, he was chosen to take on the Running 4 Hunger race because of his previous involvement with the Run 2 End Hunger series.

“I have always enjoyed running and was rather good at it,” Aden said. “I was discharged from the Army in late 2010, and I guess it just followed me. The last two nicknames that I got on the previous runs were Forrest Gump and The Running Man.”

According to Aden, he faced mental and physical challenges during the last two long-distance races he ran. During the 253 mile race, Aden’s body was not able to keep up with the higher demand for calorie intake, which resulted in him losing nearly 15 pounds.

“(B)y the seventh day, I was in pretty rough shape,” Aden said. “The weather wasn’t very cooperative either. (There) was lots of wind and what seemed like endless sheets of rain on the second half of the run. The best part, however, was meeting lots of great and friendly people along the way.”

Weather conditions and the long, grueling distance are what Aden believes will be the biggest challenges during the duration of the race.

“There is a huge difference between 253 miles in seven days and 1,000 miles in 12,” Aden said. “However, at the very least, awareness about the serious issue of hunger will be increased. It is doable. Faith in God and the correct frame of mind will be essential to success.”

At the start of the race, live video feeds and a GPS tracking of Aden’s journey will become available for viewers to watch and keep track of his daily progress. More information about tracking his journey can be found online at 1000miles4hunger.com.

In order to meet the goal of 1,000 miles in 12 days, Aden will have to cover a minimum of 83 miles per day. According to Aden, he will be allowed to take breaks as needed throughout the day for food and water.

“In the previous races that I competed in, once I met that mileage mark for the day, then I had the option of resting at a nearby hotel or pressing on for a few extra miles to get ahead,” Aden said. “Of course, as long as the total mileage is covered within the 12 days. That is what matters.”

In preparation for the upcoming event, Aden has been running every day to achieve maximum endurance and stamina. Time, however, is a big component that comes into play with his training, according to Aden.

“When I was in the Army, (training) seemed easier to do, as physical exercise was something that we did throughout the day,” Aden said. “I am married now with four beautiful children, and in addition to school, … I am employed full-time. So time is a major factor.”

According to Aden, Ray of Hope Food Pantry serves several hundred families a month through food distribution or by helping others through various community projects. Last year, approximately 3,500 families were provided with nonperishable food items and general household goods.

“I believe (Ray of Hope Food Pantry) has a target goal of 30 tons of food set to be raised this year,” Aden said. “They are a relatively small organization and only have a staff of five. That staff of five is being kept busy and focused on Christ.”

Individuals will have the opportunity to pledge a minimum of $10 toward the Ray of Hope Food Pantry in order to help fight hunger in Arkansas. Pledge offerings are only payable if the race is completed within the allotted 12-day period.

For more information about how to pledge to the Running 4 Hunger race, visit 1000miles4hunger.com.

BUNNER is a feature reporter.

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