But one ran. Yes, you read that right.

At 4 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, Penn State Behrend senior Justice Greene started out on his trek to the college campus in Erie from Warren. A seasoned runner, Greene has participated in nine marathons and three ultra marathons.

Here’s the math. Marathons have a standard distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) while an ultra marathon is any race longer than this distance typically starting at 50 kilometers (31 miles). Greene’s 100 kilometer run from Warren to Erie logged 62 miles – his longest run to date.

“I was already doing something I love to do and thought I’d give back to the people who protect others,” Greene said.

Greene is pictured running his 68 mile trek.

Greene chose to use the opportunity to raise money for the Stephen SIller Tunnels to Towers Foundation, starting a GoFundMe and setting a fundraising goal of $5,000. The non-profit Tunnels to Towers Foundation was set up as a legacy to Brooklyn Squad 1 firefighter Stephen Gerard SIller, who gave his life in service to others during the Twin Towers attacks in New York CIty on Sept. 11, 2001.

Since 9/11, Tunnels to Towers has been helping provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. They are committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001.

“I chose this cause because I come from a family with a history in law enforcement and I have always had a deep respect for those who risk their lives to protect others,” Greene said. “I am inspired by the courage and selflessness of the people Tunnel to Towers serves. This 100K will be a true test of my limits and I want every mile to count toward something bigger than myself.”

Although he says no future is set in stone Greene has a rock solid next step in place following college. Having already enlisted in the United States Army Greene will leave after graduation for basic training in Missouri. His Advanced Individual Training (AIT) will center around Intelligence Analysis.

“I want to explore the world while in the Army,” Greene said. Beyond the Army? “I want to be where the winds take me. I’d rather risk it all chasing my dreams than never having tried.” The whole point of me doing the run is to show people you can do things you didn’t know you can do. If you want to achieve something you can do it.” Greene completed the run in 14 hours 58 minutes, roughly two hours under what he thought it would be.

Greene takes a well earned break at the finish of his run.

“It was great,” he said during an interview earlier this week. “My feet were swelling up a lot but are fine now.”

To date $2,420 of Justice’s $5,000 Tunnels to Towers GoFundMe goal has been met and donations will continue to be accepted for the next two months. To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/support-justice-greenes-100k-for-heroes. For further information on the Tunnels to Towers Foundation visit www.t2t.org.