Skip to Content

Veteran takes on massive fitness challenge to raise suicide awareness

By Angela Williams

Click here for updates on this story

    RIDGELAND, Mississippi (WAPT) — A combat infantry veteran is taking on a massive fitness challenge to raise awareness of suicide among veterans.

Phil Parsons said more than a decade ago, he tried to kill himself. The now-ultra runner is taking on his biggest challenge, calling it the 444, as in 444 miles.

“Seventeen years ago was a failed suicide attempt,” Parsons said. “After me feeling like a failure, and also failing to follow through with the suicide attempt, I need an outlet. I needed something, so I went to the park and started running.”

He’s running on the Natchez Trace from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez. Parsons stopped in Ridgeland on Thursday.

Parsons hopes to run the full 444 miles in 11 days.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content