The Long Way: Hood to Coast Solo Record Attempt for Basic Rights Oregon

200 Miles. 36 Hours. One Runner. One Record. One Cause.

The Challenge

In August 2026, I'm attempting something that's only been done once in the 40+ year history of Hood to Coast: running the entire 200-mile relay solo.

The route stretches from `Timberline on Mount Hood to the shores of Seaside, Oregon—crossing the cascades, forests, highways (lots), farmland, and coastal roads. It's roughly eight marathons back-to-back with almost no rest, climbing and descending over 7,000 feet of elevation.

The record I'm chasing: 47 hours and 47 minutes, set by the fantastic pioneer Cindie McKenna in the 1990s.

My goal: Complete it in under 36 hours—well within the official cutoff and breaking a record that's stood untouched for three decades.

But this isn't just about the clock. It's about what we can accomplish when performance meets purpose.

Why Basic Rights Oregon?

We're calling this project "The Long Way" because sometimes the harder path is the one worth taking. That spirit—of enduring difficulty, persisting through challenge, and showing up even when it's hard—is exactly what Basic Rights Oregon embodies through its advocacy work.

Basic Rights Oregon is the state's leading LGBTQ+ and human rights advocacy organization, fighting for equality and justice for all Oregonians. In a time when these rights are increasingly under threat, their work has never been more critical.

Every dollar raised goes directly to Basic Rights Oregon to support:

- Legal advocacy protecting LGBTQ+ rights and wider civil liberties

- Community organizing building power across Oregon

- Legislative work advancing equality and rights at the state level

- Direct support for those facing discrimination

The symbolism is powerful: 200 miles of persistence, one step at a time, refusing to quit—just like the fight for human rights. The long way is the right way.

The Goal: $50,000+

I'm aiming to raise at least $50,000 for Basic Rights Oregon through this attempt. Every contribution—$10, $50, $100, or more—directly supports their vital work protecting and advancing human rights in Oregon.

Donation Tiers

- $25 Mile Marker

- $100 Checkpoint Champion

- $500 Leg Sponsor

- $1,000+ Summit Supporter

Who Am I?

My name is Ajay Hanspal, and I'm a trail, mountain, and ultra-marathon runner and endurance sport coach based in Portland, Oregon, I started running after serving a traumatic brain injury. After relocating to the USA from the UK in October 2024, I found community in the Pacific Northwest running scene—and it changed everything.

Moving to Oregon during such a politically charged and uncertain time, I witnessed firsthand how this state is hurting, fighting, and refusing to give up. I've seen communities grappling with threats to civil rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and basic human dignity. But I've also seen something powerful: how running brings people together. How the trails and roads become safe spaces for empowerment, support, and resilience during the hardest times.

In the mountains and on the coast, I've found a community that shows up for each other, mile after mile, stride after stride. That spirit is what The Long Way is all about.

I know what it takes to push through when everything hurts, when your body is screaming to stop, when the finish line feels impossibly far away. That's exactly what this attempt will require—and it's what makes it the perfect metaphor for the fight Basic Rights Oregon leads every day.

The Training Journey

This isn't just an August 2026 story. The journey starts now:

January: Cascades Half Marathon (speed work)

February: Tarawera 100K, New Zealand

March: Big Alta 50k, CA

April: Gorge Waterfalls 100k

May: Stumptown 50k. Tillamook Burn 50mile or Southbound 400 relay

June: Western States 100-Mile (pending qualification)

August: Hood to Coast Solo Attempt

full schedule TBD

I'll be sharing the entire journey: the training, the struggles, the breakthroughs, and the community we build along the way. You'll be part of it from the first mile to the last.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every dollar goes directly to Basic Rights Oregon

2. Share: Spread the word on social media using #TheLongWay

3. Follow: Track the journey on Instagram [@ajayruncoaching] and watch the story unfold

4. Show up: Join us in Portland for the donor appreciation event after the attempt (details TBD)

Partnership & Transparency

I'm proud to partner with On on this attempt, who are supporting the logistics and covering operational costs. This means 100% of your donations go directly to Basic Rights Oregon—none of it goes toward my expenses or the attempt itself.

You can also donate directly to Basic Rights Oregon at [basicrights.org] (https://basicrights.org)

The Long Way Starts Now

200 miles is a long way to run. But it's nothing compared to the distance we still need to travel as a society to achieve true equality and justice for all people.

This attempt is my way of contributing to that journey—one mile, one dollar, one voice at a time.

Will you join me on the long way?

Updates

I'll be posting regular updates here about:

- Training progress and race results

- Fundraising milestones

- Behind-the-scenes content and stories

- Community events and opportunities to get involved

- The attempt itself in August 2026

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we're going to break a record and make a real difference.

— Ajay

Instagram: @ajayruncoaching

Project Partners: On Running, Basic Rights Oregon, Hood to Coast

#TheLongWay #HoodToCoast #BasicRightsOregon