Southern Nebraska Register
Steve Sousek, a member of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln, will embark on a 520-mile route June 22-26 to benefit RUNBORN, an entity supporting women and children in crisis, and unborn children.
Sousek created RUNBORN in 2020 and participated in events to raise funds for the Women’s Care Center and St. Gianna Women’s Home in Lincoln. The events have raised more than $101,000.
In June 2020, Sousek ran approximately 520 miles in 10 days, and in June 2021 he did five long-distance triathlons, the equivalent of five Ironman races, in five days, spanning more than 700 miles. In 2022, Sousek had some challenges due to lingering effects of Covid, and scaled his July event down. In 2023, he again battled some health issues with blood clots and a torn calf muscle and scaled back his plans.
In celebration of the fifth year RUNBORN has been raising funds, Sousek decided to repeat the route from the first year. He plans to complete the 520-mile route in five days instead of 10, by running 15-20 miles and biking 85-90 miles each day. 
“I feel blessed God has allowed me to remain healthy so far this year, and I have had the opportunity to prepare and train for another challenging event,” Sousek said. “I am really looking forward to traveling across the state again. That first year of RUNBORN will always be special to me, and repeating that route will be very motivating for me. I have always called it a pilgrimage as we visited and prayed a rosary at 46 churches on that route.”
While not in the fitness shape he was in 2020 for the first RUNBORN event, Sousek said he continues to improve and feels better fit and more capable than he has for two years.
“I think the last two years have been a good humbling experience for me,” he said, “and a good reminder that God is in charge. He has me on this journey with RUNBORN and I just need to follow his plan. He has been doing remarkable things with it so far and I need to stay patient, trust, and open to whatever he wants to ask of me.”
Sousek has been participating in races and bike events such as BRAN (Bike Ride Across Nebraska) to help prepare. He wore RUNBORN shirts during BRAN to help “advertise” and was amazed by all the opportunities God provided him to strike up conversations with other riders or spectators.
“So many people asked me about it, and thanked and encouraged me after I told them about RUNBORN and its success,” he said. “There was not a single person that said anything negative at all.”
He said he thinks RUNBORN can raise awareness of resources available to help people choose life over abortion.
“I’m sure God will create many good opportunities during the event to achieve positive impacts on people.”
RUNBORN 2024 will take place June 22-26. Sousek will traverse from the Colorado border west of Grant to the Iowa border at Plattsmouth. The runborn.org website will be updated with event details and a link to make donations. Sousek hopes to raise $25,000 this year; 100% of the donations will be split between Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska’s St. Gianna program and the Women’s Care Center of Lincoln.
To learn more, or donate, visit www.runborn.org and follow Steve’s journey on Facebook, www.facebook.com/irunborn.
