Miles for Grandpa

Maren Whitaker is a seventeen-year-old who has never been a runner, but the death of her grandfather, Pop, changes everything. To honor the man who raised her and to raise money for the hospice that gave him dignity, she decides to run across the entire United States. Starting in Cape May, New Jersey, she faces immediate physical agony and the crushing weight of her own grief. She meets Reid, a college dropout with a camera, who becomes her unlikely support system in a beat-up camper van. Together, they navigate the treacherous roads of the East Coast and the vast stretches of the Midwest. Along the way, she encounters people like Bea, a baker who provides maternal warmth, and Officer Castillo, who protects her through the mountains. Not everyone is a supporter, as the arrogant Dr. Sterling Vance publicly mocks her lack of training and predicts her failure. Maren must battle recurring injuries, extreme weather, and her own mother's attempts to stop the journey. Each mile brings her closer to her million-dollar goal but also forces her to confront the silence left by Pop's passing. The journey is a grueling test of spirit that transforms her from a lost girl into a symbol of resilience. Ultimately, she discovers that while she is running for Pop, she is also running toward her own future. Every mile is a conversation with a man who is no longer there, yet feels closer with every step. Through the blistering heat and the freezing mountain air, she finds a strength she never knew existed. Her mission captures the heart of a nation, proving that grief can be fuel for an extraordinary purpose. The road is long, but Maren knows that as long as she keeps moving, Pop is never truly gone.

Pages: 277, Paperback, Independently published