Bradenton endurance athlete running for Wounded Warrior

A Bradenton endurance athlete and accountant, known for his dedication to running for charitable causes, is set to embark on a new challenge this September with the aim of setting a U.S. record for the fastest cross-country run. A send-off event will take place on Saturday prior to his taking off from 4-7 p.m. at New Balance University, 315 N. Cattlemen Road, in Sarasota.

Nels Matson, 41, will be dedicating his 3,067-mile journey across the United States to Project Campbell's Call. This initiative honors Chris Campbell, a U.S. Navy SEAL who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2011. In his will, Campbell expressed a desire for 100,000 people to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Matson, the founder of Boalytics in Lakewood Ranch, will commence his run on Sept. 8 at San Francisco City Hall, with plans to finish at New York City's City Hall. The current trans-American record stands at 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes, set in 2016. Matson is no stranger to endurance feats, having previously cycled across the country twice and completed a multi-state endurance run in support of national and international nonprofits benefiting children with heart conditions. Donations to Project Campbell's Call can be made by visiting tinyurl.com/y4dav5bd.