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.
Sousek will begin his 24-hour run on the track at Pius X High School in Lincoln, at 8 p.m. Friday, June 26.
Individuals, both runners and walkers, may join him any time during the 24 hours for any distance or time they wish. Teams are also participating during the last 12 hours of the event, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. The challenge is to see who can complete the most laps – Sousek in 24 hours, or one of the teams in 12 hours. Sousek said the competition will give him motivation to keep 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 mentally challenging,” he said. “Last year it was very helpful to see or talk with people on the track with me.”
Sousek created RUNBORN in June 2020 and ran two marathons a day for 10 days, traversing 520 miles across Nebraska. At the time, Sousek thought it would be a one-time event, but the June 26-27 run will be the seventh annual fundraising event. In the first six years, RUNBORN raised more than $136,000.
All the funds have been split equally between the St. Gianna Program and the Women’s Care Center of Lincoln, two charities that support women in abusive relationships or with difficult pregnancy situations.
“I am so thankful for all the people who have supported RUNBORN all these years,” Sousek said. “They are the real heart and soul of RUNBORN. Many have been supporting every year since year one, and every year new people join in supporting.”
He said the supporters inspired him to repeat last year’s 24-hour run, in which he ran nearly 70 miles.
“It was enjoyable to have so many people come out during the event and participate, and it gave me a chance to meet more supporters and hear more of their stories during the event,” he said. “I am looking forward to seeing people join me on the track to be able to see how God is helping RUNBORN grow again this year.”
Since this is a fundraising event, each team is challenged to encourage families, friends and social networks to make donations to RUNBORN. They will be “credited” laps for donations, and those who come to walk or run a few laps can choose to “donate” those laps to those in the competition. Individuals can also run or walk “virtually” during the 24-hour event and can report their miles on the website.
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 to participate. There will also be a limited number of RUNBORN shirts available for purchase at the event for $10. Proceeds from shirt sales get contributed to the fundraising. Free beverages will be available for anyone who participates.
The funds raised will be particularly appreciated by the St. Gianna Program and the Women’s Care Center, which just opened a second location in Lincoln.
To see the RUNBORN story, learn more, register to run, or donate to RUNBORN 2026, visit www.runborn.org and follow Sousek’s journey on Facebook, www.facebook.com/irunborn.
