Cape Coral ultrarunner plans 50K in all 50 states to support Make-A-Wish

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) - Cape Coral ultramarathon runner Brady McDonald is preparing to run 50 kilometers in all 50 states over 50 consecutive days while raising money for Make-A-Wish.

The challenge, called “Zero to 100 Wishes,” is scheduled to begin July 25 in Orlando. McDonald hopes to raise more than $1 million, enough to help grant 100 wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“I’ll be running 50K, that’s 31 miles, in all 50 states over 50 consecutive days,” McDonald said. “We are doing this to raise over a million dollars to grant 100 wishes for Make-A-Wish.”

McDonald said the size of the challenge is part of what makes it worth pursuing.

“If I thought it was possible, I would just really question whether it’s even worth attempting,” he said.

McDonald plans to travel between states in a wrapped RV with his wife, Kristy, and their children. The family will document the journey on McDonald’s YouTube channel.

“The cause is what’s important to both of us,” Kristy McDonald said. “The number of people that have become involved with us on this mission is absolutely incredible, from coast to coast, and people even in Canada.”

McDonald has previously completed races as long as 300 miles. His fundraising efforts for the Arizona Monster 300 raised more than $300,000 for Make-A-Wish.

He expects the 50-day journey to bring pain, exhaustion, and unexpected setbacks, but said the cause will keep him moving.

“It’s going to be horrible. It would be people’s worst nightmare,” McDonald said. “But that’s okay, because God asked me to do this, and we’re going to get it done."