Suzan Brydon grew up in extremely rural southern Illinois, just minutes from the Kentucky border, in a county without a single stoplight. With a tiny graduating class and a tight‑knit farming community, she was surrounded by outdoor life—but personally leaned in the opposite direction. As a child, Suzan was allergy‑prone and often sick, identifying more as an indoors‑oriented, bookish, academic kid who preferred early video games to physical activity. In fact, she didn’t run her first 5K until she was 42. That turning point came when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and set a goal to run a half marathon once he completed treatment. Determined to support him, Suzan vowed to get out there, too. 
After they both achieved their goals, Suzan was surprised by how much she enjoyed running and training. When her husband’s cancer later recurred, he set an even bigger goal—running a marathon post-chemotherapy—prompting Suzan to aim higher, too. This time, a half marathon for her. Once again, both achieved their goals, reinforcing the realization that their own capabilities had been underestimated.
What began as a single 5K quickly evolved into something much bigger. Running became a way to say yes to life. Suzan steadily increased her distances, moving to full marathons, trail races, 50Ks, and beyond. During the COVID pandemic, she completed a self‑supported virtual 50K in Colorado—a milestone that opened the door to increasingly extreme ultradistance events. Over time, Suzan went on to complete 50‑milers, 100Ks, 100‑milers, and eventually 200‑mile races, continually pushing—and redefining—the limits of what she believed was possible.
Purpose-Driven Running and the American Discovery Trail
As Suzan’s hobby evolved, she realized it could become more than just her own escape, it could benefit others. A strong focus on community service and health equity started shaping how Suzan approached endurance challenges. With a background in social determinants of health, she started pairing ultraruns with fundraising and outreach. “It allowed me to have extra motivation as I was plugging away at my own ultra marathon goals.” Then, a long-term dream emerged around crossing the country via the American Discovery Trail—a coast-to-coast route connecting rural roads, trails, and small towns. The trail’s emphasis on rural America resonated deeply with Suzan’s upbringing and professional interests in rural health.
Cigna Fellowship and Central U.S. Crossing
In 2023, Suzan received a competitive Community Ambassador Fellowship from her employer, Cigna, granting 90 paid days to pursue a community health initiative. Partnering with Girls on the Run, she ran the central portion of the American Discovery Trail from Cincinnati to Denver, averaging roughly 23 miles per day for 84 days. Along the route, she spoke with girls and families about health, confidence-building, and goal setting, while also raising approximately $25,000 for scholarships. 
Suzan simultaneously conducted rural health research in collaboration with Johns Hopkins and Cigna. “I heard a lot of details about the rural health obstacles that girls and kids face in these areas. They don’t have dedicated green space, they don’t have equipment for sports and activities, they don’t have resources in their school systems to fund recreation.” Suzan was thrilled to bring some attention to these issues. “It was this marriage of all of my favorite things into one big project,” she said.
Eastern Leg Project and Souls4Shoes Partnership
In May 2026, Suzan is embarking on the eastern leg of the American Discovery Trail, running roughly 1,000 miles from Delaware to Cincinnati across 32 days while balancing work through flexible scheduling. This leg supports Soles4Souls’ “Race for Every Kid” campaign, which provides athletic shoes to children experiencing homelessness, which in turn improves school attendance and physical activity. Each $20 raised supplies one pair of shoes, aligning closely with Suzan’s mission to use endurance running as a platform for tangible social impact.
Logistics, Support, and Storytelling
This latest leg of the journey will be supported by Suzan’s husband and uncle, as well as other friends and family. Together, they’ll rely on an Airstream Flying Cloud 25FB as a mobile home base—an essential hub where Suzan can rest, recover, enjoy nourishing meals, and even stay connected with work between long days on the trail.
Suzan will be able to use the powered standing/sitting desk for all logistics, the kitchen for meal prep, the independent shower for much needed recovery, and the super comfortable sleeping area to prepare for the next leg of the quest. With all the comforts, technology, and convenience that makes anywhere feel like home, Flying Cloud is thoughtfully designed and crafted to keep you doing what you love as long as possible. Or for Suzan, exactly 32 days. That is until the next challenge comes along. 
Daily logistics depend heavily on GPS navigation using Garmin and Gaia, along with community-sourced trail resources and advice from fellow hikers and runners. But beyond the physical and logistical support, Suzan is especially looking forward to the human connection this journey brings. “I’m most excited about the campground conversations, small-town kindness, and the stories shared along the way,” she says. Suzan will document the entire experience through daily videos, social media updates, and on her website—capturing reflections, community moments, and lessons learned while inspiring others to believe in their own capacity for growth.
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