Man runs the back roads
as patriotic statement

One footstep at a time, Bob Alessio is seeing the United States. Alessio left Los Angeles on April 23, and he's running to Boston, where he plans to arrive in March. After running into Amarillo on Thursday, he spent Friday here resting.

Alessio, a marathon runner from Boston, got the idea for his trip on Sept. 6, 2001. He thought he would like to run across the country, following the shortest route between San Francisco and Boston, he said.

After the terrorist attacks five days later, his patriotic spirit led him to alter the path. He added locations involved with domestic terrorist attacks, the service academies, geographic and historic landmarks, and national monuments and memorials.

Marathon Runner: Bob Alessio of Boston stands outside his recreational vehicle Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center.
Henry Bargas / hbargas@amarillonet.com

He's also visiting military bases, firehouses, police stations, schools and community organizations along the way.

"I've been meeting some very interesting people," Alessio said.

The trip, "Run Across America for Enduring Freedom," supports President Bush's war on terror and will cover 5,450 miles. The run has changed the way he wants to travel.

"From now on, I'll just travel the back roads, not the interstates," he said. "How many people will really know what towns like Clayton (N.M.) are all about? You have to get off the interstates to find them."

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