KOKOMO, Ind. — Cameron Balser grew up in Swayzee, Indiana, and he has always considered himself a runner.
Now, Balser has adopted the nickname "Bubba." That's because some people say he has become a modern-day Forrest Gump.
In fact, on Oct. 9, 2023, Balser decided to go for a little run.
He started in Cleveland, Ohio. He made it all the way to Kittery, Maine, and just like Forrest, Balser just kept going.
"Then, I went down through Salem, Massachusetts," Balser said. "I was there for Halloween, so that was interesting."
Next, it was down the east coast and around the Florida peninsula.
"When I came up, I actually went through the Everglades, so that was interesting," Balser said, "Actually, it was one of the most beautiful places I've been and less dangerous than I expected. I just stayed in the swamp."
13News caught up with Balser somewhere between Fort Myers and Sarasota.
"That's what's great about this," Balser said. "I would have never seen these places if I hadn't gone on this trip."
If you can't believe that somebody would do all this running for no particular season, Balser has a reason.
He is running the perimeter of the United States, literally around the country, to spread joy and hope. It's something he discovered while running – that you're never too old to try something new.
"Everything changed," Balser said. "It gave me a sense of hope, and I don't have any expectations or fear anymore every day. It's just like, 'it is what it is, and it's going to be beautiful no matter what.'"
As of Jan. 4, 2024, Balser had traveled more than 3,300 miles, wearing out nine pairs of running shoes along the way.
"I just love to run," Balser said. "I am a minimalist kind of person, so I try to use the shoes as much as I can because I know I can get more out of them."
Balser also hauls a cart full of essential supplies.
"A tarp, a sleeping bag, a little cooker thing that I can cook dehydrated food," Balser said. "My sister back at home, she does home-cooking and dehydrates it, so I can actually have homecooked meals. I have to say thank you to that!"
Also in the cart, Balser lugs around some battery packs, extra clothes and a water filter.
"I do filter my own water when I don't have access to water," Balser said.
Just like his shoes need maintenance and repair, so does his cart. So far, 26 wheel bearings have come and gone on this trip.
Safety is, of course, a concern for the spectators, but not for Balser, he said.
"I never put myself in a position that will be unsafe," Balser said. "I am as safe as I can be."
Along the way, Balser maps out every major milestone. Each stop looks as if it is straight off a postcard.
Kokomo man runs 12,000 miles 'around' the United States
Balser said it isn't always easy, sharing in one video, "At some point, I lost my wallet."
With the support of friends and navigation from a buddy in North Carolina, Balser keeps "moving and grooving," as he likes to say. He has also met strangers who have become friends.
"I've had mom-and-pop shops, they've offered to give me some food. I met people at a restaurant that housed me for the night," Balser said.
In addition to the beautiful views and personal perseverance, Balser said it's the humanity of everyday people that keeps him going.
"The generosity of people around every state I've been to, it collectively adds up to something just so beautiful and loving," Balser said.
Now, Balser is heading out of Florida, eventually through the great state of Alabama, and clear to the ocean in California.
"Out of all my interactions I've had, all of them have been good," Balser said. "I haven't had one bad moment the whole time I've been out here."
Along the way, he plans to make a few stops to soak up what he calls "a beautiful world."
In all, the run will be roughly 12,000 miles and take about nine months. He plans to be done by his twin's wedding in September.
"I'm going to be able to go across this country because of the love and support of people," Balser said. "That's what I try to show people. If you follow your heart and show love to everyone, it's amazing what we can do."
Hoosiers can track Balser's progress online. He also sells merchandise to support his mission.
To his knowledge, Balser will become the first runner to travel the perimeter of the Lower 48.