Southern Nebraska Register
Steve Sousek, a member of North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln, will attempt a 24-hour run, to benefit RUNBORN, an entity supporting women and children in crisis, and unborn children.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, July 25, Sousek will begin his 24-hour run on the track at Pius X High School in Lincoln. For the first time, he’s inviting other runners to participate in one of his events, as well.
“As I contemplated ideas, I really felt a pull to start transforming RUNBORN into more of a community event instead of me just being out by myself doing something on my own, with a support crew, of course. On the road I have been blessed with amazing support, but it has been hard for people to run with me, participate, or be involved. I think God has something else in mind for RUNBORN, and after five years of solo events I felt it was time for RUNBORN to start to grow.”
Individuals may join Sousek any time during the 24 hours, for any distance or time they wish. Several groups of runners will participate in relay teams from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.
“The challenge is to see who can complete the most laps, myself in 24 hours, or one of the teams in 12 hours,” Sousek explained. “I have always been competitive, so this will give me some motivation to keep me pushing forward. In addition to the physical challenge of trying to run for 24 hours, the monotony of doing lap after lap after lap around a 400-meter track is going to be mentally challenging.”
Since this is a fundraising event, each team is also challenged to encourage donations to RUNBORN 2025 to “sponsor” the team. Sousek and teams will receive one lap credit per each $25 in donations. As a goal, Sousek challenged each team to raise at least $1,000 in donations from their “sponsor” donors.
All participants – team members or individuals – are also encouraged to make a $25 participation donation on the donation website, but a donation is not required.
Sousek created RUNBORN in 2020. That June, to raise awareness and funds, he ran two marathons a day for 10 days, traversing 520 miles across Nebraska. At the time, he thought it would be a one-time event. That effort, however, raised more than $46,000, so Sousek decided to do another extreme event in 2021. In 2021, he ran five long-distance triathlons in five days, spanning more than 700 miles across Nebraska.
The amount of funds raised again surprised Sousek, so he continued different annual events. Over the first five years, RUNBORN has raised more than $117,000. All the funds raised have been split equally between St. Gianna Women’s Homes and the Women’s Care Center of Lincoln, two charities that support women in abusive relationships or with difficult pregnancy situations.
This year’s event will again raise money for these two charities. Sousek is also dedicating it to his mom, who would have been 100 years old this year, to honor her and thank her for giving him life 59 years ago.
Sousek admitted concerns about completing his 24-hour goal. The longest he has run continuously was six years ago – he ran 12 hours, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds, in the Leadville, Colo., 50-mile Silver Rush race.
“But I do feel God is calling me to at least attempt that duration,” he said. “As always, I seemed to get a timely sign of encouragement when I was having my deepest doubts and I needed it most.”
Learn more at www.runborn.org or follow on Facebook, www.facebook.com/irunborn.
