Cross-country marathoner reaches Highland County

New York marathoner and health activist Yi-joo Kwon has reached Day 71 of his 3,200-mile marathon run from Los Angeles to New York City 

to promote diabetes awareness worldwide.  

The cross country marathon, which began March 23, will last approximately 110 days, and is expected to be complete on July 9.

On Tuesday, June 1, Kwon was setting his pace along U.S. Route 50 in Highland County. 

According to http://go2marathon.org, at the age of 51, Kwon, 64, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was given an effective death sentence by doctors. The disease was an inevitable consequence from his unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, and his future looked bleak. 

"Kwon did not give up, however. He began walking, and little by little worked up to jogging and finally running," the website reports. "With sheer determination in the face of a potentially terminal illness, Kwon was able to fight his diabetes and claim back his life through running. These days, he runs several marathons a year and fully controls his diabetes through exercise and a healthy diet, without medication."  

Kwon's accomplishments include eight ultra-marathons, the Vermont 100-Mile Endurance Run,  the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run, the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run and the Leadville Trail 100.  

As the founder of the Korean Road Runners Club in New York City, Kwon is constantly pushing and helping others to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. With his invaluable life experiences he promotes the "Fight Against Diabetes" and supports fundraisers to combat adult onset diabetes.  

He has been running an average of 34 miles a day.

New York marathoner and health activist Yi-joo Kwon has reached Day 71 of his 3,200-mile marathon run from Los Angeles to New York City to promote diabetes awareness worldwide.  

The cross country marathon, which began March 23, will last approximately 110 days, and is expected to be complete on July 9.

On Tuesday, June 1, Kwon was setting his pace along U.S. Route 50 in Highland County. 

According to http://go2marathon.org, at the age of 51, Kwon, 64, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was given an effective death sentence by doctors. The disease was an inevitable consequence from his unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, and his future looked bleak. 

"Kwon did not give up, however. He began walking, and little by little worked up to jogging and finally running," the website reports. "With sheer determination in the face of a potentially terminal illness, Kwon was able to fight his diabetes and claim back his life through running. These days, he runs several marathons a year and fully controls his diabetes through exercise and a healthy diet, without medication."  

Kwon's accomplishments include eight ultra-marathons, the Vermont 100-Mile Endurance Run,  the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run, the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run and the Leadville Trail 100.  

As the founder of the Korean Road Runners Club in New York City, Kwon is constantly pushing and helping others to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. With his invaluable life experiences he promotes the "Fight Against Diabetes" and supports fundraisers to combat adult onset diabetes.  

Kwon told Rory Ryan of The Highland County Press Tuesday that he has been running an average of 34 miles a day.
 For more information or to contribute, go to www.go2marathon.org/sponsorship-eng.html.