That is what Tellman Knudson, 32, is currently doing.  His journey began in New York in September and he is currently in Ohio somewhere.

According to his website, Run Tellman Run:

Two hundred or so runners have successfully run across the continental United States. Most ran for a cause, others for just the challenge. Tellman Knudson has taken on a $100 million dollar mission to help homeless and at-risk youth. He is dedicated to reaching this goal, like he has been in reaching goals his entire life.

I think you must be a little crazy to run across the country.  Let alone barefoot.

His journey will take him on a southern arc through the country with stops along the way at homeless shelters for youth.  He has a lot of information about why this is an important issue for all of us to care about.

From the donate page:

His goal is to raise $100,000,000 to donate to the shelters, organizations and on-the-ground volunteers across the country that help homeless teens get food, get shelter, and rebuild their lives.

Tellman will run 3,200 miles barefoot… but he needs your help.

Your contribution will help us meet our fundraising goal to give every homeless teenager in America hope and help in 2010.

That would $31,250 per mile that Tellman needs to raise.

I can’t seem to find out how the money will be distributed.  Will Tellman create a foundation and give out grants?  Or will the money go to whomever he feels like?  Will it be split up among the shelters he stops at?  There also isn’t information about how he is being supported as a runner. Nor can I find how much has already been donated.

I love the idea and the effort he is taking to raise awareness of this oft forgotten segment of the youth population.

HT: Outside Mag