My uncle, Dr. George Thomas, has undertaken long-distance runs in India to raise awareness for environmental causes. In 2008, he ran 1030km across the state of Kerala. In 2010, he attempted an even greater challenge - a continuous 107 mile solo run from Kottayam to Trivandrum. Though he had to be aided at the end, his efforts helped spread an anti-burning message and gained sponsorship from the Kerala state government for future EcoRuns. The document requests donations to support his ecological cause.

1. EcoRun.In 2008
Introduction
Life consists of moments of inspiration interwoven with many supporting
acts in between. This is a story of inspiration. My uncle, Dr. George R.
Thomas, has decided to run 1030kms (640 miles) over the next 2 months
which is the length of the state of Kerala, India (the equivalent of running
from New York to Detroit, Michigan). Dr. Thomas, a former mathematics
professor and founder of Math Path (www.mathpath.org), one of two
summer programs he had founded for mathematically talented high-school
students, has set out to accomplish this feat by running a daily half-
marathon (13.1 miles). The reason for this task can be summed up by
EcoRun's motto - "Desire the Welfare of Others!"
As a friend, I hope that you will contribute to this collective philanthropy
(donations may be given at the bottom of the opening page). I ask that
you weaken your boundary and open your wallet because such
achievements can’t help but go unnoticed. Any proceeds that are raised
will be used entirely for the "welfare of others" but the specific organization
is yet to be determined. I also ask that you forward this along to your
network.
Conclusion
I hope you had a chance to follow my uncle's (George Thomas) progress
over the past two months. He finished the 640 mile journey on Dec. 28,
2008 at the Mookambika Temple. As he ran against the violence of the
sun in Kerala, India, the whispers that an old man was running for the
environment and the welfare of others, slowly grew into an uproar. He
had told us that his footprints made him somewhat of a spectacle amongst
the local townspeople. They would line the streets hands clenched in
prayer positions to honor his efforts. The website (EcoRun.In) will be
updated very soon with pictures of his lone perseverance.
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an
indomitable will" - Gandhi
Below is a list of articles (look @ Dec. 30 for a few pictures):
Dec. 31
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=An+NRI
%E2%80%99s+eco-
run+from+Kanyakumari+to+Kollur&artid=MDPC6jkiCAI=&SectionID=7GUA38t
xp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2
TGM5XQ==&SEO=
Dec. 31

2. http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/31/stories/2008123150530200.htm
Dec. 30
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?
newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=107060
Dec. 12
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121260550900.htm
Dec. 12
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?
Title=Run+for+a+cause&artid=Pmd|
n4NQ1R4=&SectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&Se
ctionName=gUhH3Holuas=&SEO=Kerala+Tourism+Department
Nov. 7
http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750520200.htm
Nov. 6
http://www.indianenvironmentobserver.com/modules.php?
name=News&file=article&sid=1173
Nov. 4
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/04/stories/20081104515121
00.htm
Nov. 3
http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14789844
EcoRun.In 2010
Introduction
As evinced by EcoRun 2008, my uncle, George Thomas, runs to the music
of notes in rarified air. As a 62 year old man, he created possibilities.
After completing 1030kms (630miles) and losing 30lbs (140lbs:110lbs), he
finished the race. For 2010, he has forgotten about excellence and
focused on outstanding. His sights are set even higher -
http://ecorun.in/ecorun2010.html - a 107 solo continuous run. Inspiration
can be found through stories in the book of life…I hope you will follow his
current chapter....
Conclusion
My uncle, George Thomas, began his journey into the unknown depths of a
175km [107 miles] continuous solo run on Feb. 9th. The weight of such a
run was so great that he contemplated creating a burial grave were he not
to succeed. After about 30 miles, his pale blood-colored toenails came
off. However, he knew that the message is more important than the man.
Insistent that people learn the hue and call of his message, he ran through
every city while skipping the distance in between. 14,000 brochures of the
awareness campaign to stop the burning of leaves and rubbish were

3. distributed over the course of the run. The closing ceremony was
presided over by the Hon. Minister of Forestry. While aided in finishing the
run, he wants to try again in 2011 at the young age of 64...to fully complete
the EcoRun.
Update - His efforts have colored the parchment of the State Government
of Kerala. The state government will begin official sponsorship of the
EcoRun in 2011.
I ask that you donate a few dollars for this ecological cause …
http://www.ecorun.in/donate.html .. every donation helps.
For those who are familiar with Kerala, India: The continuous solo run was
from Kottayam to Trivandrum. The run started at 3 pm from Thirunakkara
Maidaanam, Kottayam on Tuesday, February 9 and reached Gandhi Park
by sundown the following day, February 10.