Land Rover Joins The Gumpathon For a Great Cause

For some, running a half marathon, a full marathon, or even completing a few laps around the block is considered an accomplishment, but can you imagine running from New York to California in just eight short weeks? That's exactly what six men from three of the world's finest fighting forces have set out to do.

The Gumpathon, inspired by the 1994 box office hit, Forrest Gump, was created by Color Sergeant Damian Todd, Royal Marines, to raise funds for three incredible service charities, The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (http://semperfifund.org/), The Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund (http://www.justgiving.com/royalmarineswarfund), and Help for Heroes (http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/).

Running across 16 states and completing 3,530 miles in eight weeks, is no easy task to say the least. To help with this challenging journey from coast to coast, Land Rover has provided the team with two vehicles, a 2010 LR4 and a 2010 Range Rover Sport. As the team will endure various types of weather and all kinds of terrain, the versatility and breadth of capabilities of our vehicles are sure to help the team through anything they may encounter.

On Friday (September 10), the team gathered at one of New York City's most famed museums, the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum for a kick‑off event for the team's journey. In great spirits, the entire Gumpathon team was in attendance: six runners and six support members, surrounded by various supporters ‑ sponsors, family members and friends ready to run along side the team as they departed from Manhattan.

While the journey itself is truly inspirational, it was one team member in particular that stole the hearts of all those in attendance. Mark Ormrod was left with serious permanent disabilities following his tour in Afghanistan and became the first triple amputee of the war in Afghanistan. Wanting to help other injured service men and women, Mark joined the team created by his close friend Damian and will run alongside the five other members, completing what mileage he can.

To find out more about The Gumpathon, visit http://thegumpathon.com/ and be sure to log on to http://interactivelandrover.com/home/index.php for photos, videos and more from the team as they make their way across country with the support of Land Rover.

If you see The Gumpathon team running through your city with their support vehicles, the LR4 and Range Rover Sport, we'd love to see it! Twitpic a picture and send it to our Twitter handle: @interactivelr or post to our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/interactivelandrover.