BY JONATHAN BYM
Staff Writer
When Jonathan Milkovich takes his first strides from the North Carolina-Tennessee border near Murphy on Sept. 21, there is no record time he is looking to set over the following 17 days of continuous running.
The U.S. Army veteran, who found solace in running, wants others who have been in his shoes to realize what being active and training for a finish line, whether literal or figurative, can serve. He founded Operation WarriorFit, a nonprofit organization that looks to connect veterans, service members and first responders to free or significantly discounted entries to active events and competitions.
To bring awareness of the foundation, Milkovich is running across North Carolina — Murphy to Manteo — and will come through Moore County midway through.
“(Running) gave me an outlet. It is something that helps me on a daily basis,” Milkovich said. “I’m more tired so I sleep better. I don’t have the time to sit there and wonder about stuff. Running allows me to process a lot of stuff. It allows me to take the time to better myself, and on top of that it helps me to dig through the different things and do it in a way that’s not going to cause issues.”
Milkovich served active duty in the Army for five years, including two years at Fort Bragg from 2017-19. When he left, he began to notice mental anguish and physical tolls. He said running was a release from an encroaching darkness.
“I got out and realized there were some things going on in my head that I don’t necessarily care for. On top of that, I slowed down from active duty, and there were a lot more aches and pains that I noticed after the fact that I didn’t necessarily realize while I was in service,” Milkovich said.
When he got into distance running, he began to see the costs associated with travel, training and registering for races from 5Ks to ultramarathons. He didn’t want that to be the hurdle that turned people from keeping a healthy lifestyle pushing for an achievement.
“I realized, what if we didn’t have that finish line of something else in my life? What if that competitive adventure was the kind of thing that was the determination of if I was or was not going to be active? We faced a financial barrier, but what if other people are facing that financial barrier?”
Milkovich hopes his 700-mile run toward the North Carolina coast will encourage others to come out and log a few miles alongside him. A documentary crew is also set to follow along to tell stories along the trail.
“The main story that we are trying to encompass is the people that come out and run with us,” Milkovich said. “I’m excited to just be running on the side of the road and somebody is like, ‘Hey, I’m here to join you.’”
Milkovich’s schedule has him closing out his ninth day on Sept. 29 near the Robbins area, and then starting his 10th day running along N.C. 24-27 from Robbins, through Carthage and then into Lee County.
“The ultimate goal is community-building and a sense of purpose, a new mission after service to your community or your country.”
Contact Jonathan Bym at (910) 693-2484 or jonathan@thepilot.com.
