Vasque is honored to announce their sponsorship of Mike Eherdt, a veteran and retired US Postal worker from Driggs, ID, on his Project America Run. Eherdt is running 4522 miles, from coast to coast across the US, to honor fallen troops in Iraq and has selected the Vasque Blur SL as his shoe of choice.
After three years of planning and preparing, Eherdt begins Project America Run on May 1, 2010 in Astoria, OR, and finishes approximately 157 days later in Rockland, ME. Eherdt will place an American flag, adorned with a yellow ribbon bearing the name, rank, age, date of death and hometown of each soldier and Marine who died in Iraq – 4375 in all – along his route.
“It is my objective to create an invisible holding of hands from one service member to the next, flag to flag, ocean to ocean,” says Eherdt, who is an accomplished ultra-runner and cyclist.
Eherdt”s dream became a reality thanks to a nationwide team of volunteers, gear donations from companies such as Vasque, self-funding and private donations.
“When we first received Eherdt’s request for shoes, we were blown away by his mission, and truly couldnt wait to help him accomplish Project America Run,” says Chris Speak of Vasque. “This man is a selfless testament to honoring our country and those serving to protect it.”
Eherdt plans to run about 29 miles a day, spend nights with host families and push a running stroller laden with his supplies and gold ribbon adorned flags. He will also speak to over 30 high school and college track and cross country teams along the way. Students are encouraged to accompany Eherdt on his run, to gain an understanding of the sacrifices made for them, by people who didnt even know them.
