WISCASSET, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The United States Running Streak Association (USRSA) has a total of 542 Runners who are committed to running at least one mile everyday. One of those is Stephen Reed from Wiscasset who ranks an impressive 11th place on the list.
Reed first decided to start running to influence the patients at his medical practice to live healthier lives. That was in June of 1976. Getting started was the easy part, it's stopping that's been difficult for the 67-year-old.
"The streak will be 39 years on the 16th of June," said Reed. "Just an overall good feeling."
In order to qualify to be a part of the USRSA, a runner must run at least one mile for 365 consecutive days. Reed has exceeded those expectations running at least 3 miles for the last 14,192 days. A streak that has come at a price bringing on degenerative arthritis and lung inflammation.
"Pain on a scale from zero to ten is probably a seven or eight," said Reed "It definitely catches my attention, so it's meant that I've needed to slow down my pace."
It's not just a running streak that Reed has accomplished, but he has also run 26 Boston Marathon in a row. He's had a lot of time during marathons and running at home to reflect on why he laces up the running shoes every day. Deciding that he's neither running from nor towards anything. To him it's just running.
"I'm doing something that I feel is healthy and trying to do the best I can," said Reed.
