Meet the real-life Forrest Gump who 'just felt like running'

If you saw Rob Pope running towards you, with his full beard, red cap, Nike shoes and checked shirt, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped straight into the film Forrest Gump.

In Tom Hanks’ 90s movie classic, Forrest runs across the length of America - then turns around and runs it again, and again, until he’s crossed the county five times.

And that’s exactly what Rob Pope, a 38-year-old vet from Liverpool is going to do. (Thirty-eight, incidentally, is the exact age Tom Hanks was when he played Forrest.)

So far, over seven months of jogging, Rob’s been snowed on in Death Valley, run through 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 100% humidity in Alabama - and casually squeezed in the Boston marathon.

But what's his motive for such a mammoth run?

“I knew people identified with the film - we’ve all been on a run in the park and had someone shout ‘run Forrest run’ at us, but it was about more than that," said Rob.

“Forrest doesn’t judge anyone on race or intelligence or standing, he just saw people as they were. So in a similar way, I’m just trying to bring a bit of sunshine to people’s lives.”

Rob’s no stranger to running, as current Australian Men’s Marathon champion and winner of the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon for the last two years - but this is a whole new challenge.

Starting on 15 September 2016, he’s already crossed the nation once from Mobile, Alabama to Santa Monica, California, before turning back around again.

The second leg will take him from LA through 18 states to Marshall Point in Maine.

America’s pretty big – 100 marathons wide big, at Rob’s estimate. He might have clocked up 5,700 miles so far, but it could be another 9,000 miles before he’s caught up with Forrest’s fictional route.

“There’s been some tough mornings when I think… I have to do this all again, and again tomorrow… but then, I’d be exactly like that with my normal job, or if I was a Formula One driver. I just hate mornings.”

Rob is running for a humanitarian and a wildlife charity, choosing his causes from a line in the film.

“Reporters asked Forrest whether he was running for women’s rights, world peace, the homeless, animals or the environment. So through these two charities, I’m covering all five bases.”

After his girlfriend returned to the UK on 22 March, this has been an entirely solo mission for Rob, but he's been overwhelmed by the support of family and strangers alike.

“I feel a bit like Leicester’s run in the league last year – even people who’ve never been interested in running are willing me on.”

He’s raised £12,000 so far – but he’s aiming for the big million.

“That’s why I’m still going. That’s my motivation.

"I came up with this plan because I wanted to do something that people would really notice, so I could raise some big figures for charity."

Yet it’s the characters he’s been struck by most. Sprinting through the states on a shoestring budget and no supporting team means Rob often has often had to rely on the kindness of strangers, who’ve come in all sorts of guises.

“I knocked on one house in Tennessee and asked the guy if I could camp in his back garden for the night. When he asked if I had any weapons I told him I carried nothing other than the razor sharp British wit – to which he responded, ‘I carry plenty,’ and pulled a carving knife out from behind his back.

“But instead of using it, he invited me in, cooked me chilli and let me stay in his camping trailer.”

With 6,000 calories needed a day to keep him going, food is constantly in Rob’s thoughts.

“It’s probably a nutritionist’s nightmare, but because I’ve organised this myself and don’t have many finances, there’s a lot of fast food and sugary drinks to hit the calorie count. It’s not ideal, but you’ve got to work with what you’ve got.”

Failing serious injury or disaster, Rob’s confident he’s going to complete his challenge – achieving what no one (other than Forrest), ever has.

At the very least, after smashing up to almost two marathons per day, he can eat all the boxes of chocolates that life throws at him.