Running with a purpose

Today, day 10, puts Scott Adams just past the halfway point on his 744-mile endurance adventure and fundraiser called Run North Carolina 2008.

Adams began his 18-day journey in Murphy and intends to run across the state to Manteo in order to raise $25,000 for the American Cancer Society and its related hospice program.

"Cancer is pervasive," said Adams, the information technology director of the UNC School of Information and Library Science. "It's something that affects so many different people," he said, adding, "we all know somebody who has gone through this."

"I think he has taken up a very arduous journey because he has been so deeply affected by cancer," said Catherine Lazorko, a spokeswoman for the town of Chapel Hill and friend of Adams.

Lazorko is strictly personally involved with the fundraiser and said that Adams' decision to run is in response to the many friends and relatives who have battled cancer.

"He is doing something that he knows how to do best, to see if he can make a difference," Lazorko said.

Adams designed the run in three consecutive six-day periods with a one-day break in between each.

"I don't see this as an 18-day trip. I'm looking at the next six days. I have to make it through the next six days," Adams said. "When you finish the one day you're thinking about the next."

Each day after he finishes the 42 to 52 miles of running on the schedule, Adams' immediate concerns are getting food and icing his body.

It is for tasks like those that Adams' rotating two-person support crew of family members and running partners comes in handy.

"They're actually pretty busy," Adams said. "They don't have any time to play."

Adams is the first to admit that "it is a team effort" and has found support all over the state.

Lisa Carawan, owner of Carawan's Motel in Swan Creek, donated two rooms in her motel to Adams and his team. "Anytime you can help out anybody, that's just the right thing to do," said Carawan, who has lost many family members to cancer, including her father and mother-in-law.

Though Adams is an experienced ultra-marathon runner, this extreme challenge is beginning to take its toll on his feet.

What keeps him going is the support he receives. "I've met great people along the way," Adams said.

One memorable encounter happened on the third day of the run. Adams was running along the Blue Ridge Parkway where he met Trevor, a cancer survivor.

"I don't know where he was exactly in his stage of cancer, but he couldn't talk," Adams said.

However, he said there was no need for words because when Trevor grasped Adams' hand, the gesture spoke for him.

"It was very encouraging holding his hand and knowing I'm running for people like him."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.