Page 48 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021

Becoming Forrest

New book recently launched

by Rob Pope (2002 and 2010)

You may remember reading an article back in Eclipse 2018, or already have been
following Rob Pope’s journey to see that between September 2016 and April 2018,

Rob incredibly ran more than 15,700 miles. He crossed America five times with
422 days of running and averaged 37 miles a day. He was recreating the greatest run
in film history by Forrest Gump. He even rescued and rehomed a stray dog on route!

ob’s purpose was to honour World Wildlife Fund and Peace Direct. book – it’s got plenty of that, of course,
a promise to his mum to Rob recently launched his new book: but also gives an insight into the heart
‘‘do something that made a Becoming Forrest, to tell his American of a country that seemed more divided
Rdifference”. With that in mind, story. This isn’t your average running than ever, but, as Rob found out, had
he undertook this journey in aid of enough love and kindness to “make
America great again”.
Rob’s running journey didn’t stop there –
he has more recently run between two
of the UK’s highest summits – Snowdon
and Scarfell, for the Stroke Association
and is making a pilgrimage called The
Long and Winding Road from Liverpool
to Glastonbury Festival, running over
100km daily for Oxfam. Just before the
book launch, he set off on a mission to
run as many Parkruns as he could in a
24-hour period, only stopping when he
got tired. He completed an incredible 38

Rob with fellow RVC alumni, supporting
Rob in Oklahoma. Left to right, Rick
Beer, Simon Lapish, Paul Aggarwal,
Ian Beamish.

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