
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, September 4, 1994                   TAG: 9410190009
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JOGGER FINDS COUNTRY FULL OF GOOD FOLKS

Running from coast to coast was a humbling experience for Darrell Mann, who completed his mega-jog Aug. 26 in Portland, Ore. When the 51-year-old grandfather from Peterstown, W.Va., set out on his odyssey from Delaware on May 2, he hoped to educate those he met along the way about the importance of healthy habits and individual self-worth and ability. Instead, he became the student.

"The country's full of good people," Mann proclaimed by phone this week, his voice edged with emotion. "The whole trip was worth it just to find that out."

During his journey, the former Radford Army Ammunition Plant employee said that countless individuals - most of them complete strangers - offered help, food, shelter and money as he passed through. The experience drastically altered his initial expectations.

"It's human nature to be good," he concluded. "Most people try to be caring and help one another."

Mann's largely unheralded arrival on the Pacific shore culminated his longest day yet on the road. "I got 64 miles the last day," he said. "It nearly killed me."

Indeed. The sight of Mount St. Helens so captivated him, he was nearly struck by a car as he stood in the road and stared.

Reaching Portland he found himself inadvertently competing with thousands of runners in a huge relay race from Mount Hood to nearby Seaside. "They thought I was one of the fast runners," he said.

His niece in Salt Lake City, Roanoke native Cindy Bullion Goehring, honored Mann by giving her son - born Aug. 26 - the same middle name as his, Richard. Goehring's parents are Jim and Jane Bullion of Roanoke.

The transcontinental journey not only left Mann 40 pounds lighter and with a blistered foot and an inflamed shin, it sapped his pocketbook as well. He estimates he's spent more than $5,000, possibly much more. Private contributions have lessened his burden. He said he especially appreciated recent donations from several former arsenal colleagues.

A devout Mormon and regional church official who took Sundays off during his run, Mann began his recovery from the road in the hot tub and sauna of Nike executive Jaakko Tuominen. Nike supplied Mann with footgear and active wear for his Run Across America. He said that they've promised to do it again next year when he runs or bicycles from the West Coast to Atlanta in time for the Olympics.

To reward his accomplishment, he said Nike presented him with an official Kenya national team outfit.

Right now, Mann said he can't believe he's so far from home and hopes his aging Volkswagen van holds up for the return trip. Keeping it on the road has cost over $3,000. It snarfed up another $500 in repairs during the trek's final leg. A family friend from Peterstown, Jason Buckland, has been Mann's traveling companion the second half of the trip.

Mann said he was planning to be home by this weekend. Once home with his wife, Sue, and his six children, "I've gotta find a job," he said. "I'm so far in debt." But he also wants to repay the kindnesses of those who made his "humbling experience" a reality. "I'm coming home with a real desire to help people, especially the sick, and to encourage people not to give up."

by CNB