Penn State Alum Paul Johnson Rolls Through State College on Cross-Country Run

Paul Johnson is attempting a feat that less than 400 people have ever accomplished: A 3,000-mile coast-to-coast run from Los Angeles to New York City. Johnson, a Penn State Navy ROTC alum, passed through State College Tuesday during his journey and received warm welcomes from students and members of the community.

Many people took time out of their afternoon to join Johnson on his venture through Happy Valley and Dear Old State, and our photographers were out and about to catch the day’s action.

When Johnson reached the corner of East Park Avenue and North Allen Street, students began to join him for his cruise through the center of campus and past the library.

Though dozens of folks opted to join in on the run itself, even more chose to cheer on Johnson as he breezed through his alma mater en route to New York City.

After the trek through campus, the group followed Johnson up South Allen Street and eventually down South Atherton Street.

Johnson and the group continued their run through State College, eventually making it to Plaza Mexican Bar & Grill where he took a 15-minute break to fuel up for the final four miles of the day.

At the end of the run, Johnson spray-painted the road with his initials and the number 47 to indicate the day’s mile total. He’ll continue his run at that mark the following morning.

Though Johnson’s attempt at breaking the transcontinental record of 42 days has been surrendered, the mission is what matters most to him, and he partnered with Team Red, White and Blue to raise money to enrich the lives of veterans through fitness and mental health resource accessibility.

Folks can donate to Johnson’s fundraiser here and keep up with his progress to New York here.