Noah Coughlan, 41, is an ultra runner, marathoner, and filmmaker from Vacaville, CA. 

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In 2002, at age 18, he graduated from Vacaville Christian High School, and was interested in joining the military after the 2001 attacks on America. However, his father David, suffered a catastrophic leg amputation, and Noah helped his father learn how to walk again and recover for many years. 

 

In 2008, at age 25, Noah graduated from Napa Valley College Police Academy, and the economy suffered a severe financial downturn soon after in the Great Recession. Noah shifted focus into rare disease advocacy to help two childhood friends from his local church battling an ultra rare brain disease called Batten Disease.  

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In 2011, at age 27, Noah completed his first solo transcontinental Run across America, 2,500 miles from San Diego to Jacksonville, FL by raising awareness and trying to find solutions and a cure for Batten Disease. 

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In 2013, at age 29, Noah completed his second solo Run across America on a northern route 3,100 miles from San Francisco to Boston to help the entire community of Batten Disease families. Initially, Noah added an American Flag to his jogging stroller for safety concerns to be seen to drivers, but quickly the Flag became a symbol of hope and encouragement to the American People.

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Bernie, a World War II Veteran in Illinois, called Noah on Day 1 introduced himself, insisted on being the wingman for logistics, lodging, interviews, and more. They quickly made a bond a developed a friendship as they teamed up to help hundreds of Batten families. 

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In 2015, at age 31, Noah ran 3,000 miles again from New York City to San Diego. This third Run was for all 30 Million Americans facing over 7,000 known rare diseases. Noah joined Congress as he ran through Washington D.C. for a press conference to advocate for the 21st Century Cures Initiative legislation. 

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After 3 very difficult yet productive Runs, Noah took a break. Along his journeys, he experienced injury, a twisted pelvis, exposure to bitter cold and extreme heat, weight loss, dog encounters, insect stings, and was even hit by a car in 2015. Noah befriended many across Americans including Congressmen, Governors, World War II Veterans.

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In 2020, at age 36, Noah expanded the effort internationally by running 600 miles across Ireland for the 300,000 Irish with rare diseases. Noah's grandfather Myles was born and raised in Ireland, and later emigrated to America to Boston at 19 years old. 

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Noah barely finished his Run on St. Patrick's Day as European borders were closing rapidly in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic. He was one of the last Americans out on a plane home to a locked down United States. 

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In 2023, at age 39, Noah ran 3,700 miles from the U.S./Canada border at Blaine, Washington to Fort Lauderdale, FL on his fourth Ocean to Ocean run. This was a tribute to publicly thank and recognize the American Veterans and active duty military with an emphasis and urgency on interviewing World War II Veterans as they approach the age of 100 and population numbers decrease.

 

Noah's father passed away suddenly in the middle of the Run.

With great challenge, Noah continued 2000 more miles to the Atlantic Ocean finish and interviewed every Veteran on the way.  It was the United States veterans who encouraged Noah to keep going.

 

Noah relocated to Nashville, TN in 2018 for a job opportunity.

In the years between the Runs, he lives a relatively quiet life out of the spotlight with occasional visits to Washington D.C. and Vacaville as well as guest speaking engagements to local schools K-12, rotary clubs, and other events.  

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In October 2025, Noah will begin his fifth and final Run across America totaling 5,500 miles across 20 States, a tribute to highlight the American Spirit and stories of the 350 Million American People, meet rare disease families, and interview some of the 70,000 remaining World War II Veterans. Noah has crossed 36 States previously with 14 States remaining. When Noah finishes his final American run on America's 250th Semiquincentennial birthday on July 4th, 2026 in Hawaii, he will become only the 3rd person ever to have crossed all 50 States on foot. 

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Noah hopes to complete a feature length film documentary chronicling the entire story in 2027, and rest and recover.