When Jason graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 1998 he weighed 250 pounds. One of his favorite T-shirts at the time read, ‘the only exercise I get is running to the fridge.’ Jason realized he had to do something about his weight so he took up running. He knew he was on to something special right off the bat. Soon after graduating Jason moved to Washington, D.C. for work where his running blossomed.

Over a span of a little less than two years Jason lost approximately 100 pounds through exercise and diet change. Jason ran his first marathon in the Fall of 2000 - and wanted more. “I have not always been a runner, nor am I currently any type of super-athlete. I'm just a regular guy who absolutely loves to run." Jason has always felt that running is a powerful tool for change. It was in this spirit that Jason decided he wanted to run across the United States. As someone who had been obese, with a family history of diabetes, he decided to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. In the summer of 2003 he began planning his run and fundraising. On July 4, 2004 Jason left from New York City and ran until he reached L.A. on December 11, thus becoming one of only approximately 300 people to have run across the USA. Jason is very proud to be among an elite group of runners, but is just as proud that he raised nearly $40,000 for the American Diabetes Association. Upon finishing the run Jason returned to Washington, D.C. to resume his career. However, he still wanted "more," so he was ecstatic when he found out about the Blue Planet Run.

Jason was chosen as BPR's top back-up runner. He feels that he has a "responsibility" to help others and do good for the Earth because he was blessed to be born where he was. While learning more about the run and the Foundation, Jason found the fact that 1 out of 5 people on the planet lack safe drinking water to be astonishing - and more astonishing that something can be done about it! When he was called in for back-up on the run in early June, he was thrilled: he was going to get to run to spread the word around the WORLD that "Water is Life!" Tragically Jason broke his ankle (right distal fibula to be exact) on his 2nd day running and had to be sent home. In August, he came to support the run throughout its U.S. leg.

Jason was devastated but had a lot of time to think while recovering from his broken ankle. He decided to take an entirely new path: instead of going back to his job, Jason decided to stay in Buffalo to pursue a DPT in physical therapy. Jason is currently enrolled at Daemen College in Buffalo and hopes to be practicing physical therapy in a few years time. In the meantime, his ankle feels good and he plans on running ultra events whenever he can!

Jason is a messenger for life and is eager to speak to any group in Western/Central New York or Southern Ontario. Contact Jason at jasegross@hotmail.com or by phone at 202.276.9233.