Day 574 – US – Ohio/ Pennsylvania [Warren to New Castle]

30/10/21

55.5km

  From Warren (Ohio) to New Castle (Pennsylvania)

North America

A long run, a drunken raccoon and crossing from Ohio to Pennsylvania

A very innocent looking friendly raccoon

Today’s long run had its little bit of drama. As I ran past the town of Niles, I passed by a strange scene. Two people trying, from far, to draw the attention of a raccoon that was wandering on the road, looking disoriented and helpless, whilst traffic was swerving around him. I sprang into action and went close to him, trying to get him to follow me. The poor thing looked completely lost. We eventually had to call the police, because the traffic situation got quite bad! The police officer, as he arrived, muttered: “Let’s see what we have here… another drunk raccoon?”. I thought he was joking. But it turned out he was not. At this time of year, raccoons and other small wild animals, eat the fruits off the ground (mostly apples). And they get drunk on the fermented fruits, which causes them to be disoriented – and also damages their liver.

Raccoon busted by the police for drunken behaviour!

I was sorry for the poor animal. Yet I was also very glad to see a live raccoon. It’s been days on end that I have been running past countless flattened raccoons (and nutrias..) by the roadside, and to see one alive was such a relief. I hope this one stays safe and sobers up somewhere far off the main road.

I ran past Youngstown, the town that inspired Springsteen’s eponymous song (on the Tom Joad album). A beautiful song – and I could see where the inspiration was as I ran through the streets of this “rust belt” city.

Rolling hills and dense forests of Pennsylvania

Then just like that, I was into the 10th state of the US crossing, Pennsylvania! I missed the “Welcome to Pennsylvania” sign as I was on country roads – but it seems the landscapes are changing dramatically again. Dense forests everywhere (in their beautiful autumn colours right now) but also a lot more hilly! Today’s run is the hilliest I have run since over a month! I think it will be this way till I reach Washington DC… it has been a while!

I also took a picture of the sign of the town of Girard. Serge Girard (nothing to do with that town!) is the last person to have run around the world (2017). He was the 6th one, and also the fastest (he ran nearly 70km a day and took no rest days!). I had met Serge when I ran past my hometown in Normandy last year (we are both from Normandy). I sure hope to run a few miles with him again when I conclude the world-run in Rouen next year. See the blog post from that day back in January 2021: https://lootie-run.com/step/day-281-eu-france-la-neuville-du-bosc-to-rouen/

Enjoy the video of today’s run: https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq5WYnP7QO

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: