Bergen Man Will Run Across US To Help Women And Children

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Larry Grogin was about 50 feet from the finish line at the Boston Marathon in 2013 when the bombs went off.

That moment changed his life forever.

"When the bombs went off I thought, 'What am I doing, this is crazy,'" said Grogin, an acupuncturist from Franklin Lakes. "I was ready to hang it up."

But he kept running. The next year he ran 250 miles from North Jersey, about 32 miles a day, back to the Boston Marathon.

"We took back the finish line. We had people hug us and greet us along the way," Grogin said. "Good wins out over evil every time."

Grogan will again run the same distance but this time he will do it for 97 consecutive days in an effort to raise $1 million for Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children, a Paterson-based nonprofit. The project is called Strides for Humanity. The run starts in July. A camera crew will accompany Grogin and film a documentary as part of the project. The run will end with the Ventura Marathon in California in October.

"If I can serve as a role model by being a mediocre guy and get others to believe that anything is possible, then that's great," Grogin said. "The idea of meeting people of all different backgrounds while on the run, it's a chance to see the best side, the loving side, of people."

He has invited people who live on the route he will run to join him on his trek to California, the same way they did when he ran to the Boston Marathon.

Grogin is used to running long distances. He has competed in 32 Ironman Triathlons and 300 or 400 marathons since he started running in 1983.

"It's less about the fitness aspect of it and more about the community aspect of it," Grogin said. "Going on this new journey, I get to hang out with America and enjoy America."

For more information about Strides for Humanity, or to make a donation, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Dr. Larry Grogin crosses the finish line at the Boston Marathon. Grogin is running across the United States to try and raise $1 million for Oasis, a Paterson nonprofit that helps women and children. (Courtesy of Larry Grogin)