PULASKI COUNTY, Va. – A Marine Corps captain is running across the country to raise money for causes that include help for veterans.
Maggie Seymour wore running shorts, a tank top and a hat with water bottles attached to a waistband as she passed through Wythe and Pulaski counties Tuesday. She says she's running 33 miles a day six days a week for 100 days.
“Virginia has been lovely," she said.
She's encouraging people to donate to causes for veterans, Gold Star families and special needs athletes. She says she’s seen firsthand the good these organizations do.
“You can see that tangible impact of where your money goes and what kind of change it’s making for someone’s life," she said.
Her journey will take her past people from San Diego to Virginia Beach. WSLS 10 News caught her near Snowville in Pulaski County. She says she enjoys talking to people to work toward her goal of raising $50,000.
“They’ll come up and say ‘hey, what are you doing?’ You’ll explain and they’ll give 20 bucks or 30 bucks, or make a donation online, which has been really awesome," she said.
She says sometimes people stop her and share their opinions on how extreme her project is.
“If people say I’m crazy, it’s like well, what can you do? What would you like to do that maybe is a little bit crazy and go out and try it," she said.
The 31-year-old joined the Marine Corp in 2006. She has a support van for supplies and says her journey is not about speed.
“I’m not going to win anything, but I can run," she said. "I can run for a pretty long time so this is something that I can do to hopefully motivate and inspire others and get them involved.”
Veteran-founded National University is sponsoring her so she can stay in hotels. Her journey includes a drive up to D.C. this weekend to run a marathon while pushing the chair of a special needs racer.
To donate, go to Seymour's website.