New York – Norfolk native and son of Tom McCarthy (Greeley) and Doris McCarthy (Ord) Phillip McCarthy is attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records fastest run on foot across the United States.
The record, which is currently held by Pete Kostlenick, is from 2016 and was ran from San Francisco City Hall to New York City Hall in 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes.
McCarthy started loving to run when he was a sprinter in high school at Norfolk Catholic, he then transitioned that love to long distance running when he moved to New York in 1994. McCarthy was the American Record Holder in 2011 for the 48-hour race and won the 24 Hour National Championship back in 2009 and 2011.
His achievements dont stop there though. He ran for the U.S. team at the 24 Hour World Championships, finished the Spartathlon ultra marathon in Greece and placed top 10 at the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon.
McCarthy began his journey across the country on foot on Aug. 21 at the City Hall in San Francisco.
McCarthys day begins at 4am, runs for about 15 hours a day till about 9pm logging 70 miles per day. He has has made his way from California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and now in Nebraska. On Sunday evening he was west of Bassett.
His journey will continue on to Norfolk, Nebraska between Sept. 18 and Sept. 19 then on to Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and then City Hall in New York City.
McCarthy tells media, with New York being my home it will be overwhelming with I cross the George Washington Bridge and finish downtown.