A cross-country run brought Steven Smith back through familiar ground this week, as the former Owensboro resident made his way along U.S. 60 as part of a journey spanning more than 3,000 miles.
Smith is running from California to Virginia, pushing a stroller filled with his necessities and decorated in honor of loved ones. He began his trek on the West Coast and has already logged more than 2,100 miles.
“I started in Huntington Beach, California, and I’m running to Virginia Beach, Virginia,” Smith said.
He passed through the Owensboro area after starting his day in Henderson, covering more than 30 miles.
Smith said the run is as much about connection as it is endurance, with Owensboro holding a special place in his story. He previously lived in Owensboro while working as a truck driver and became part of the local running community.
“I lived in Owensboro for a while. It feels like home here,” Smith said. “The running community is close-knit, and I’ve got a lot of friends here who have been supporting me.”
That support has extended far beyond Owensboro, with Smith encountering what he calls “road angels” across the country.
“People will stop and give me water or help out however they can,” he said.
Smith said the journey has presented a wide range of challenges, particularly in more remote areas.
“New Mexico was probably the toughest part. The towns are so far apart, and the temperatures were really high,” he said.
He said he has primarily followed U.S. 60 across the country, adjusting only when necessary. Each day brings its own logistical hurdles, from navigating traffic to monitoring weather conditions.
“It gets hot during the day, and then you’ll get storms in the afternoon. You’ve got to time it right,” Smith said. “Without a crew, it’s a lot of logistics and watching the weather.”
Despite the physical toll, Smith said he continues to push forward.
“I’m 53. I’m beat up pretty good, but I’m still moving forward,” he said.
Along the way, Smith has experienced both the isolation of long stretches of road and the kindness of strangers.
“I’ve gone as far as 96 miles without a store. I’ve got everything I need in the stroller,” he said. “I’ve met tons of people — complete strangers. Hotel managers have even given me rides to get dinner.”
He said those interactions often define his days on the road.
“That was the theme for the day — walk a while, talk a while, take a few pictures,” Smith said. “In the early miles of my first day back in Kentucky, I heard someone behind me say, ‘Hey buddy, need a ride?’ It was a bicyclist. He rode ahead, and later I saw him again resting in Barlow. His name was Gordon, and we talked for a while about his ride and my run. Not long after, a local farmer stopped and asked if I needed a ride or if I was just out for a jog. We talked for a bit, and he told me about others he had seen running or riding along Route 60.”
Smith said he has also relied on friends and fellow runners to help break up the solitude.
“I’ve had friends come out and run with me for a day. It gives me some company and someone to talk to,” he said.
Safety remains a constant concern, particularly along narrow stretches of highway.
“I don’t use headphones because of the traffic. Safety is a big deal out here,” Smith said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to step off the shoulder and let cars pass. It’s a little tougher with the stroller.”
As he continues east, Smith said he is looking forward to reaching his final destination, but also embracing the journey along the way.
“I’m looking forward to getting to the ocean and jumping in,” he said. “But I also get to run every day, and that’s something I enjoy.”
Smith expects to spend roughly a week crossing Kentucky, which he described as one of the longest stretches of his route. The commonwealth spans nearly 500 miles on U.S. 60.
While passing through Owensboro, Smith said he hoped to reconnect with friends and familiar faces.
“I’m hoping to stop by and see everyone at Project Rise while I’m in Owensboro. I just want to see everybody,” he said.
Readers can follow his journey on Facebook here.
