After a long day in the classroom teaching college-level U.S. History and Western Civilization, Rusty Beckham needs a breath of fresh air.

 

“I have always enjoyed amateur running — getting out to clear my head.”

 

But lately, the Benton High School teacher has been running less for himself, and more for others.

 

“I saw this as an opportunity to make my running about something bigger than me.”

 

Next June, the 47-year-old will take part in the MS Run The US, a 3,260 mile  coast-to-coast relay race benefitting the fight against multiple sclerosis. The race starts in Santa Monica, Cal., in April, and ends in New York City.

 

“It’s a three-prong mission,” Beckham said. “One is to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. One is to raise funds for research of multiple sclerosis. And one is to raise money for individuals living with multiple sclerosis who need funding for tools, or maybe some project they need, to help their quality of life remain as high as possible.”

 

Beckham is training to run segment 13 of the race’s 21 segments. He will have five days to cover 141 miles. That’s 28 miles a day.

 

“I will run from Casey, Iowa, to Williamsburg, Iowa. That’s basically the central half of Iowa. I’m going to run through Des Moines.”

 

While Beckham has taken on the physically-demanding task for a good cause, his reason for doing so is personal.

 

“When my wife and I married, her cousin had already been diagnosed with MS. She was a little bit older than we were. She was walking at our wedding. Over the next few years, she slowly became reliant — and ultimately totally reliant — on a wheelchair. She died a few years ago. We saw her slowly deteriorate in her abilities to do the things that I feel like I can do without thinking.”

 

In 2022, Beckham — born and raised and living in Bossier City — began running half-marathons. But training for MS Run The US is much different than he’s used to.

 

“I don’t run every day. I usually try to get in four to five runs a week. The runs are different. They’re more focused now. Instead of going out and running a certain number of miles, I’m running certain training exercises. I’m running a certain pace for a certain amount of time. On the weekends is usually when I work in a long run. I’m working my distance up.”

 

But before Beckham starts his runs, he does something else he’s not used to doing.

 

“One of the things I’ve never really done a lot is stretching, and the weights. I’ve just enjoyed running. That’s something I’m having to do that’s different. Learning new stretches. Working out specific parts of my body in a way I’ve never done before.”

 

Beckham won’t be alone in Iowa. 

 

“With me will be two support staff. Basically, I will be living in an RV with these two people for five days. They will check in with me every two to three to four miles. Make sure I’ve got fluids. Make sure I’ve got calories to take in, and make sure I’m doing well . . . . They will help me recover each afternoon — help take care of my body.”

 

While running through the Iowa cornfields, Beckham will need something to keep his mind occupied. It’s not surprising he will dwell not on himself, but others.

 

“I’m going to be thinking about my wife’s cousin. I’m going to be thinking about the other friends we have and people we know who have MS. I’m going to be thinking about all the people who have come to me since I started this, telling me, ‘Hey, my family member has MS.’ People I know that have direct connections (to MS) that I was not even aware of. I’m going to be thinking about people who can’t get out and run because they have multiple sclerosis. Those thoughts are going to push me forward. I’m going to be running for them.”

 

To participate in MS Run The US, Beckham had to commit to raise $10,000. A website has been established for anyone who would like to donate:

https://msruntheus.salsalabs.org/2024relayteam/p/rustybeckham/index.html.

 

“A healthy dose of optimism, and an unhealthy dose of naivety, has given me the confidence that I’m going to be able to do this. With the time I have to prepare, and the willingness I have to get this done, I see it as an exciting challenge to see what my body can do.”