Marathoner and health activist Yijoo Kwon is embarking on a 3,500 mile marathon run from Los Angeles to New York City to promote diabetes awareness worldwide. The cross country marathon will last 110 days, beginning on March 23rd and ending on July 9th.

At the age of 51, Mr. Kwon was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was given an effective death sentence by doctors. The disease was an inevitable consequence from his unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, and his future looked bleak. Mr. Kwon did not give up, however. He began walking, and little by little worked up to jogging and finally running. With sheer determination in the face of a potentially terminal illness, Mr. Kown was able to fight his diabetes and claim back his life through running. These days, he runs several marathons a year and fully controls his diabetes through exercise and a healthy diet, without medication.

Mr. Kwon is a passionate advocate for healthy and active living who has touched many lives and inspires others to push themselves to the limit. Since his diagnosis in 1996, he has completed nearly one hundred marathons across the globe, from San Francisco to Paris. His accomplishments include eight ultra marathons, the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run, the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run, the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run and the Leadville Trail 100.

As the founder of the Korean Road Runners Club in New York City, Mr. Kwon meets with more than 200 active members to run every Sunday at Central Park. He is constantly pushing and helping others to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. With his invaluable life experiences he promotes the "Fight Against Diabetes" and supports fundraisers to combat adult onset diabetes.

http://www.go2marathon.org/

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/03/15/2010-03-15_retired_queens_businessman_looks_to_make_forrest_gumplike_run_across_us_for_char.html