Make a Difference in the World: Champion of Hope

Kenneth Anderlitch’s journey from addiction to ultrarunning champion is a tale of transformation and giving back. For Kenneth Anderlitch, his journey has been anything but easy. He started using drugs and alcohol at the age of 14. When he was 20, he lost his mother to overdose from prescription drugs. Struggles with several years in prison and episodes of overdosing came next. Nine years ago, Kenneth got sober and started a new chapter in his life. At first, he thought sobriety was just about going to meetings, working, and having a girlfriend. The heartbreak following the end of that relationship set him on a new path, one that would lead him to make a difference in the world. 

He Discovered Running

That’s when he discovered running. It started with a simple six-mile run with a friend. “I could do that,” Kenneth thought, even though he had just quit smoking. That first run left his feet “completely demolished” because he wore the wrong shoes. But something clicked, and he wanted to do it again.

Soon, Kenneth was running 10 miles before work. He fell in love with the discipline and the sense of accomplishment. “I love the fact that I was able to do it,” he says. Running became his way of taking care of himself and starting each day on the right foot.

More Than Just Run for Himself 

As Kenneth’s passion for running grew, so did the distances he covered. He moved from short runs to ultramarathons, pushing himself further with each race. “Long and easy has been my jam,” he explains. For Kenneth, ultras became a way to unplug from the demands of everyday life. “I feel like for me it’s a great way for me to just completely unplug from the demands of my regular life,” he says.

But Kenneth wanted to do more than just run for himself. He decided to use his newfound passion to help others. His first major charity run was from Austin to Corpus Christi, covering 223 miles to raise money for Child Safe, a child advocacy center. Kenneth, a survivor of sexual abuse himself, raised $17,000 for the organization.

Running Across Texas

This success inspired Kenneth to take on an even bigger challenge: running across Texas. It took a year of planning and preparation. “My main concern was West Texas,” Kenneth recalls. “I heard that West Texas is just like, you know, just a bunch of big rigs driving through all these, you know, it’s desolate.”

Despite the challenges, Kenneth completed the run across Texas. “It was definitely a feat,” he says. “It was like something more of an adventure, like on a level of like, I don’t know what’s about to come the next day.”

A Haven for Hope 

Now, Kenneth has set his sights on an even more ambitious goal: running from Washington D.C. to San Antonio, a distance of about 1,800 miles. This time, he’s running to support Haven for Hope, a nonprofit he’s worked with for seven years that helps homeless individuals and families. Their vision is simple but powerful: ending homelessness by empowering individuals and families to transform their lives.

“I want to continuously give back to them,” Kenneth explains. His run aims to raise funds for a new dorm on the Haven for Hope campus, providing a place for families to recover together. “I want to be able to see this particular dorm be developed on the campus and really see families be able to kind of get this from them,” he says.

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Rest and Balance 

When it comes to training for such a massive undertaking, Kenneth’s approach might surprise some. He prioritizes rest and balance over grueling training schedules. “I’m a big, big thing of rest. I like to sleep,” he admits. Kenneth believes in not burning himself out before the big event. “Mentally, I want to be excited for this run. I don’t want to come into this and overtrain and be like, oh my god, now I got to do 1,800 miles.”

His training philosophy extends to his races as well. Kenneth isn’t afraid to take naps during events, even in 100-mile and 200-mile races. Kenneth’s history includes races such as the Habanero 100, Rocky Raccoon 100, and Southern States 200.  “I am a big napper,” he says. “I slept at Rocky Raccoon. I slept over for the 200, many damn times. I slept during Habanero 100 last year.”

Finding Joy in the Journey 

For Kenneth, running isn’t about pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion. It’s about finding joy in the journey and using his passion to make a difference. “Be grateful for the fact that you can do this and that you’re willing to do it,” he says. “Be excited that you’re serving. Be honored that you’re able to give back to the community with your body, your mind, your time, all that stuff.”

As Kenneth prepares for his run from D.C. to San Antonio, he carries with him the lessons learned from his past challenges and the hope of making a difference in the lives of those served by Haven for Hope. His story is a testament to the power of being able to make a difference in the world through your own journey. 

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