Jack Fussell really enjoys a challenge.
    Some in Bulloch County got to see that for themselves this week. Fussell passed through as part of a coast-to-coast run.
    When diagnosed 12 years ago with a bleeding ulcer and given an ultimatum by doctors — become healthier or die within a year — the 50-year-old, about 270-pound Fussell answered the bell.
    The Canton, Ga., native shed more than 100 pounds during the next 12 months.
    “I just started doing a tremendous amount of exercise,” Fussell said.
    But, with the goal reached, he wanted a new test.
    Thus began a nearly decade-long plan to scale stairs, increasing the amount of steps taken each time, at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville.
    Fussell would walk up 604 steps, and down, to complete what he called a “trip.”
    He wanted to complete 25 trips in a day; then 30; and 35; one day, 40; and eventually Fussell hoped to step the 1,208 steps 50 times in a single day.
    In July 2011, he did just that — walking for little more than 17 hours to finally complete the objective.
    Still, there was no time to dally.
    Naturally, Fussell said, it was on to the next hurdle.
    “When I finished the last goal, I found myself with nothing to do,” he said. “For the first time in a long time I had no goal in my mind.”
    Fussell often wondered what challenge the future would hold.
    He quickly found an answer — a more-than 3,500-mile stroll across the United States.
    “I started thinking about it, praying about it, and I spoke with a few people. Then, one night, at about 9 p.m., it just hit me — ‘I’m going to run across America,’ ” said Fussell, now 62.
    This time, however, his efforts would benefit more than his health alone.
    “I had the idea to raise money through the trip,” Fussell said. “One person asked me what I would try to raise money for. The Alzheimer’s Association popped into my mind immediately, because my dad died from the disease.”
    Right away, Fussell went to work, contacting representatives for the Alzheimer’s Association of America, setting up a website for donations, and planning a route that would take him from Georgia’s east coast — through a total of 12 states — to the Pacific Ocean.
    “I’m walking and jogging from Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah to Monterey, California,” he said. “The thought is to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, let people learn more about the disease, and to increase the amount of research money.”
    This week, people in Bulloch County had a chance to see and chat with Fussell, as his journey carried him through the region.
    After beginning his tour Jan. 12 in Savannah, Fussell spent more than two days in Bulloch County, continuing his jog and meeting with Alzheimer’s patients at a local center — he has scheduled visits to more than 30 Alzheimer’s Association offices along the approximately 3,591-mile route.
    “(The run/walk) is going real fine. It really is,” Fussell said Thursday, after running into Statesboro. “I’ve been surprised by the amount of people that want to stop and talk to me about what I am doing — which I like.”
    Fussell is focused on meeting as many people as possible along the way, using conversations as an opportunity to urge people to visit his website (acrosstheland2013.com) — where visitors can learn about him, the walk and donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.
    “I don’t ask for any donations, he said. “I just ask for people to visit the website, learn about the disease, and see what they can do.”
    Fussell carries with him a stroller to keep food, water, a sleeping bag and other materials.
    He plans to stay with friends, acquaintances and family when he can, and brave the elements when he has to.
    “Different people are helping out along the way,” he said.
    Ultimately, Fussell hopes his trip leads to major contributions for Alzheimer’s research and care.
    “We are shooting for about $250,000,” he said.
    Fussell, after staying in downtown Statesboro for two nights, departed Friday, heading toward Metter.
    Currently, his plans have him travelling to Augusta, Macon and Atlanta, before moving through Alabama, Mississippi and farther to the west. 
   
    Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.