TOLEDO, Ohio — A Waterville man is running for a greater cause while challenging others to push their own limits at the 4x4x48 challenge he's bringing to northwest Ohio next month.
Mike McArthur is the local runner who is recreating the challenge that fitness expert and ultra-marathoner David Goggin's created.
And the run is certainly challenging; 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours. That totals 48 miles.
Mike McArthur has been running for 6 years and has challenged himself by racing in 32 out of 50 states (so far), but now he wants to face more.
"It's a physically taxing and mentally taxing event to continue to go out every 4 hours to put in 4 miles on the road," said McArthur.
The run will begin on Friday, March 3 and go till Sunday, March 5.
Courses over the two days, include 8 area Metroparks and even McArthur's own neighborhood around Fallen Timber's Fairways.
He said half a dozen people have already signed up for the whole event and others have signed up for smaller legs of the challenge. Running or not the Waterville resident said his main goal is raising around $1,500.
"We've chosen to partner with Nature's Nursery who's building a new facility right here in Waterville, and we thought it was a good opportunity to help them finish their outdoor education center that they're building over there," he said.
McArthur says other participants are asked to raise money for the charity of their own choice.
One of those who may do a leg himself is long-time Toledo area runner Bob Masters. Masters is the training director for Dave's Running.
He says this is just another great opportunity to bring Northwest Ohio's running community together for a good cause.
"It's a great group of people that are always looking to give back to the community that are really tied together through running and with people like Mike it just gets better and better every time," said Masters.
McArthur said you have until March 3 to sign up and March 5 to donate to the goal. More information on the challenge, dates, and even a raffle is located here.
"You can run one leg, you can run two legs, you can run the whole thing if you want. We try and open it up for all skills and abilities to do one leg or twelve," said McArthur.
