The 4x4x48 challenge is a running challenge created and popularized by David Goggins, a former Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete. It is a challenge that can be completed by anyone, anywhere, and at any time. The challenge itself is not complicated: run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight. In other words, it is 12 4-mile runs, adding up to a total of 48 miles.
The brothers of Phi Delt at Penn decided that this April, we would complete the challenge and raise money for the Live Like Lou Foundation. The Live Like Lou Foundation is dedicated to supporting ALS research and finding a cure for this devastating disease. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and loss of movement.
We are inviting anyone who wants to join to run with us in support of this cause. We also encourage those who cannot or do not want to run to still join us by doing something active during each leg of the challenge. Biking or walking is a great alternative. We will be starting the challenge on Thursday April 6th at 6pm, and will be running around Penn’s campus and on the Schuylkill River Trail. We will start each leg from our chapter house (3700 Locust Walk). You are welcome to run with us or run on your own and are welcome to run whichever legs you want or perform any physical activity you prefer. We will be sharing our progress on our Instagram (@phidelt_upenn) throughout the challenge and encourage you to share your experience on your social media and tag us. A full schedule is attached below.
But you don't have to run the 4x4x48 challenge to make a difference. You can support ALS by sponsoring one of the brothers or simply by donating any amount, no matter how small. If you would like to sponsor a particular brother and donate based on the number of miles completed by that brother, you can follow along with everyone's progress on our Instagram. Every dollar counts, so please, consider donating to our Live Like Lou fundraiser today. Your support will help fund important research, improve treatments for those affected by ALS, and bring us closer to finding a cure. And if you are up for it, join us in the 4x4x48 challenge and let's push ourselves to make an even bigger impact together. If you have any questions, please reach out to Zach Rudder (fill out the contact form below).
Note: You are welcome to start from wherever you like and run any route you wish. However, if you want to run with the brothers of Phi Delt, you are welcome to do so. We will be starting each leg at 3700 Locust Walk at the designated time; so come join us! If you want to track your progress along with everyone, download the Nike Run Club App and join our challenge: https://nikerunclub.sng.link/A6sko/96h7/r_881202f239
We will be following two main routes. For the first route, we will run down Spruce St and turn onto South St. After crossing over the river, we will go down the ramp onto the Schuylkill River Trail and will run along the trail until we reach 2 miles (this will be about 1.5 miles down the trail). We then will turn around near the Art Museum and follow that same path back. For the second route, we will run down Locust Walk and cross the bridge near Franklin Field into Penn Park. We will loop around the Park four times, and then will go up the walkway onto Walnut St. We will turn left and head back towards Penn Campus and get back onto Locust Walk at 34th St.
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