Endurance Athlete Katie Spotz to Run 130 Miles Across Maine

An amazing endurance athlete, who now lives in Southern Maine, will run 130 miles this week to raise money for clean drinking water.

When I heard about this event, I immediately went to the website for Katie Spotz. Originally from Ohio, she now lives in southern Maine, where she's stationed with the U.S. Coast Guard. I clicked on 'challenges' on the website, and was overwhelmed with her accomplishments. Some of the things that Katie has done include:

• In 2006 - Katie cycled 3,300 miles, from Seattle to Washington D.C., to raise money for the American Lung Association.
• In 2008 - She became the first and only person to swim the entire 325-mile length of the Allegheny River.
• In 2010 - At the age of 22, Katie set a world record as the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, a feat which raised over $150,000 for drinking water.

The list goes on and on, with Ironman competitions, a 3,000 mile bicycle relay that she completed with a handcycle after breaking her pelvis, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Her latest challenge involves cycling across individual states, to raise money for Lifewater International, which is a Christian organization that brings clean drinking water to people in extreme poverty. Katie shared a video on her Facebook channel about why she's driven to seek such extreme challenges.

According to her website, Katie will start her trek on Saturday 50 miles north of Rangeley, at the Canadian border. She will be on her feet for up to 36 hours, ending up Sunday in Belfast. Donations to her cause can be made through her fundraising page. Her website says she's completing her journey in Freeport and, with a little research, I discovered that she's doing a 'Final Mile' in Freeport on Sunday.

I can't believe I'd never heard of Katie Spotz before her Maine journey was publicized. But, trust me, I'll be paying attention, from now on.