Becoming Forrest: One Man's Epic Run Across America

Book excerpt: The remarkable true story of an unrivalled journey to recreate the greatest run in film history: 15,600 miles, five-times across the United States. Becoming Forrest is the incredible story of Englishman Rob Pope, a veterinarian who left his job in pursuit of a dream - to become the first person ever to complete the epic run undertaken by one of Hollywood's most beloved characters, Forrest Gump. After his momma urged him "to do one thing in life that made a difference", he flew to Alabama, put on his running shoes, and sped off into the wilderness. To follow in Forrest's footsteps, he undertook a journey of over 15,000 miles, the distance from the North to the South Pole and a third of the way back. Over a gruelling 18 months, braving injuries, blizzards, forest fires and deadly wildlife, he crossed the United States five times. During one of the most turbulent periods in recent American history, witnessing the election of President Trump, the climate emergency and the country's widening societal divide, Rob immersed himself in American life as he struggled across the country step by step. His time on the open road saw him forever changed, trying to make that difference, in the process of Becoming Forrest.