50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days: One man’s incredible challenge

Well, every April, we marvel at the endurance and the drive of the thousands of runners who take part in the Boston Marathon, many just crawling across the finish line, one of the most physically and mentally taxing pursuits man can undertake. Now, imagine doing it 50 times, 50 days in a row, in all 50 states. 50 days, 50 marathons, 50 states, exactly what 27-year-old Tomasz Sabania is doing, and he's almost done. In fact, he's being called the Polish Forrest Gump, right? And all this being tracked by Boston native Courtney Hanna, actually from Framingham, right, Courtney? We were just discussing that. She's doing a documentary about all of this. First of all, good morning to both of you. Tomasz, let me start with a very simple one-word question. Why? That's a real good question. Basically, I run across Europe. I didn't run across America, and I ran out of ideas, so the next thing I thought of is, well, what if I can go to all 50 states, especially since it's the 250th anniversary of America? So basically, I thought, well, that can be an epic journey. So I brought my friends here, I gathered a little money, and started running. And actually, I started in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge, and from then on, we visited 45 states so far, and this Saturday, we're gonna finish in New York, but the most important part is now Boston. So you've done 45. Today is 46, so when we finish this interview, you're literally going out the door and starting your marathon here in Massachusetts. Yes. You wanna join me? I'm good on that. I'll wait for Courtney's project to be finished here, her documentary, but this has to be a logistical nightmare. How have you balanced all of it? How have you managed to make sure that everything's going as it's planned? Tomás has had the most incredible team, and our other producer, who is based in New York, Alex Klimko, is kind of the brains of the operation, or actually, Tomás is really the brains of the operation, too. And the legs, for that matter. And the legs, yes, exactly. Exactly, so it's actually been incredible to see. They used a lot of drone work, which came out beautiful, because some of these shots are really amazing. You see him running through the mountains, near lakes, rivers. Captures everything that America has to offer, really, the beauty of the country. Absolutely. So you did Alaska and Hawaii back-to-back. Yeah. Now, how'd you pull that? Because when you look and say, all right, 50 states, 50 days, those are the two you're like, mm, that's gonna be tough. How'd you pull it off? Well, that was hard, actually. It was the fourth and the fifth day. So after running three marathons in three states, we had to take a flight to Alaska, then run a marathon there, and run the next day in Hawaii. So after flying for six hours to Hawaii, I only slept for four hours, and started running my marathon. The weather, the time difference and stuff, that was really hard, but I'm really happy that it was the first week, not only for me, also for the team. They have a lot of work to do, and they take care of me. Well, they gotta keep up with you, so that's a bit of a challenge. Which is not easy. Right. Do you get cramps, you're sore? I see you got your knees taped up here. Physically, how are you holding up? Well, I've been doing these challenges before, so I know my body. I am doing pretty well. The problem is that I actually did too well, and I started running too fast, and that's when I get injured in Louisiana, but then, and then. A lot of people have been injured in Louisiana, just so you know. It tends to happen there, especially in New Orleans. That's another story. Courtney, the documentary's gonna be called Marathons Across America. What's the message you're hoping to convey here? Well, it's funny, because what he's doing is incredible, but what the film shows is seeing America through his eyes, which is really amazing, because he's been in places that most of us have never been. He, you know, along highways, along Route 66, so. 100th anniversary of Route 66 this year, too, a lot of. So the timing is. A lot of symbolism tied in there. It's really amazing, so. What's been the best state so far? Of course, Massachusetts will become number one, but prior to the previous 45 here? I guess there were so many, I can't even think of one, but Alaska was absolutely incredible, the nature, and the fact that I could be there just by myself, feeling that the nature is so powerful there. That was incredible. What have you learned about America? Well, the only thing I learned, I mean, one of them, is that people have more in common than they think. They have, no matter their political views, no matter where they come from, Americans are so kind and open, and I'm a foreigner, you know, I came from a different country, and yet they welcomed me so well here. Yeah, and also, as you talked about, from an aesthetic point of view, it's a beautiful country. I'm sure it's got some very scenic stuff that he's running through, which makes for great viewing, great video, and just really captures the essence of this country. Absolutely, and it's funny, I think, I saw Tomas in January in New York, and I said, I think you've seen more of the United States than I have, and he said, of course I have. I've been running across the entire country. That's a goal for a lot of people, I'd like to set foot in all 50 states, you're setting foot many feet, and running all the way through it. So you got, after Massachusetts, what's left, quickly? Maine, Vermont, New Jersey, and New York. Awesome, and you're gonna end in New York on Saturday. Saturday, 6 p.m., Times Square, I welcome everyone who wants to join me there. Well, now how do you plan to celebrate? I'm gonna rest a little bit. Take a nice long nap. Yeah, and then we're gonna. Another great American tradition, by the way. I bet. All right, and this would air, what are we hoping to do as far as having the project? We don't know yet, we're applying to film festival, so it's an exciting time. Well, let us know, we can't wait to see it. We'll let you know. Tomas, congratulations, good luck today. Thank you, sir. And stretch a little before you head on out. 50 marathons, 50 states, 50 days, pretty remarkable. Let's get a look at Catherine Prada right now. Catherine, you may be running along some of the roads.