Ultramarathoner finishes cross-country run in Waikiki on America’s 250th birthday

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An ultramarathoner has completed a milestone cross-country run in Hawaii on America’s 250th anniversary.

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Noah Coughlan started his fifth transcontinental trek last October and, over 260 days, has run across the continent through 13 states, from Maine to Oregon, and Alaska. Hawaii is his last stop.

“What better place to end than the Hawaiian islands, right?” Coughlan said.

His last leg was from Pearl Harbor to the Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki, and he is now the third person in recorded history to travel across all 50 U.S. states on foot.

Coughlan said that this was about honoring the people of America, fittingly ending his run on the Fourth of July.

“I’ve learned a lot about the people of Hawaii, you know, the culture here, and just couldn’t think of a better place to end the run on America’s 250th. So thank you people of Hawaii,” he said.

Once Coughlan arrived at the Duke Kahanamoku statue, he was greeted by members of the Marine Corps and Honolulu police.

Coughlan added he was able to meet people from all walks of life on this run and plans to put together a documentary on his journey.

“I got to see the true character of the American people. I got to see communities come to life. I got to see the American spirit firsthand and up close, and for that I’m forever grateful,” he said.

Final miles in Hawaii

Coughlan started his 50th-state, 274-mile run on Hawaii Island. In two days, he ran from Hilo to South Point to visit the southernmost point of the United States.

He was also in time to view episode 50 of Kilauea’s eruption.

Coughlan arrived on Oahu Tuesday night and completed a run to Koko Head. He ran 27 miles to Waikane on Wednesday, and 26 miles to Pupukea on Thursday.

We caught up with Coughlan Friday on his run from Waimea Bay to Pearl Harbor.

“I do want to thank the great people of Hawaii,” Coughlan said. “I’ve only been here a few days, but I’ve met some fantastic people on the Big Island and look forward to meeting everybody in Waikiki.”

A “Run for America” tribute

Coughlan calls his final transcontinental run “2026 Run for America: A Tribute to the American People.”

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“What I’m doing with it is just honoring our very existence as Americans, ending on America’s 250th birthday,” Coughlan said.

For the continental and Alaska legs of his 5,500-mile journey, Coughlan ran with a stroller filled with supplies and an American flag gifted by the U.S. Air Force.

And as his run continued, the flag became a starting point for conversation.

“Over time I noticed it had become a symbol. It’s our national emblem and it means a lot to the people passing by,” he said. “As time’s gone on, I started asking the American people what the American flag means to them.”

Across months and thousands of miles, Coughlan spoke to school children, teachers, farmers and veterans from many different wars and fielded a diverse set of answers: family, liberty, hope, etc.

“I’ve met everybody from your congressmen in D.C. to your farmers, to people in Anytown, USA. And every American has a story to tell,” he said.

For Coughlan, the flag represents his homeland and hope for a greater future.

What’s next

Born in Northern California, Coughlan completed his first cross-country run 15 years ago. Over the years, he’s traveled through different states and for different causes.

Now 42, the Nashville bartender is looking forward to hanging up his transcontinental running shoes.

“I’m glad that I did the runs. I’m looking forward to finishing. But if anybody’s wondering, the American spirit is still alive,” Coughlan said.

He encourages others to take up the mantle.

“I think when you get out there and meet your fellow Americans, you’ll just be reminded that we have a lot more in common than we do apart,” he said.

Coughlan’s next mission is to share the stories he’s collected along the way.

“There’s been hundreds of stories, whether it’s rare diseases, which was the first three runs I did, whether it’s a tribute to our World War II veterans and other veterans,” he said. “I’d like to keep telling the story of the American people. I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”

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