Ultra long distance runners are strong-minded individuals.

Capt. Richard Kresser fits this description.

"I run to challenge myself," the native of Iowa said. "I want to see if I can do it."

An engineer assigned to 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Kresser said he was an average track and cross-country runner in high school.

But since 2010, he has blossomed into a formidable ultra distance runner who has posted some remarkable results.

"I recently ran the Badger Mountain Challenge 100 miler," Kresser continued.

"My goal was to finish under 24 hours; I finished in 19 hours and 58 minutes."

Now Kresser has an even bigger challenge in mind.

Since 1973, The Des Moines Register has put on The Register's annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI. It is a six-day race held during the last full week in July.

The event is the oldest, largest and longest bicycle-touring event in the world.  Riders from all 50 states and from a number of countries worldwide compete. This year's RAGBRAI begins somewhere along Iowa's western border on the Missouri River and ends along the state's eastern border on the Mississippi River. In other words, riders ride across the state.

Kresser has no intention of riding across Iowa; he intends to run the entire 406-mile route.

"It has never been run in full before," he wrote in an email. 

Bikers - and distance runner Kresser - will move from one town to another.  The longest distance to be covered in one day is 83 miles.

"I plan to attempt to run the entire route this year, and I will be running to raise money and show support of the Iowa Veterans Home."

The institution accepted its first resident in 1887 when it provided living quarters for displaced veterans of the Civil War.

"It's a great organization; it's the fourth largest veterans home in the country; and I want to get the word out about them," Kresser said.

During the run, his mother will accompany him on bike while his dad drives ahead to the various stop points.

"I'll have a few buddies along too to provide support," Kresser commented.

He added that his sister and some friends have been integral in setting up a website and spreading the word and attracting corporate sponsorships.

To prepare for the run, Kresser runs an average of 100 miles per week.

On the weekends, Kresser heads out into the Cascades or over to Eastern Washington to train. 

"I will run a 30 miler on Saturday followed by a 35 miler on Sunday," he explained. "I do this kind of training to get used to running on tired legs."

The rest of his workouts occur during physical training time at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"I'm looking forward to this," Kresser said.  "It should be a great challenge."

To donate or lend support, please visit www.runningfarther.com.