Many runners complete a marathon at some point in their lives, but Gary Allen is using his passion for running as something more than just achieving a personal goal. Allen is currently in the midst of a 500-mile run from Maine to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Super Bowl XLVIII will be held—all to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

“The Wounded Warrior Project for me is a no-brainer,” he told Boston.com. “Whether or not you agree with the mission of the men and women in uniform, everyone in this country is appreciative of them doing their job. I lost an uncle from Great Cranberry [an island in Maine where he grew up], so I’ve seen how injuries and casualties can affect generations. If I can tap into a little of the media attention for an event like the Super Bowl, it can translate to real dollars for wounded vets.”

This journey run is not his first. Last year, Allen ran from Maine to Washington, DC to attend President Barack Obama’s second inauguration—a run that also benefited the Wounded Warriors Project. This year, he’s facing harsh weather conditions, with temperatures near zero degrees when he departed on January 24. He plans to arrive at MetLife Stadium prior to kickoff on February 2, which means he’ll be running about 50 miles per day.

Despite his destination, Allen said he doesn’t even have a ticket to the game.

“If one magically appears, sure I’d probably go,” he said. “But I’m a mess when I finish one of these runs. I’m cold and tired, and I’m not sure that sitting in an open stadium in the cold would be any better than sitting in a local pub and watching on a flat screen.”

Allen, who will turn 57 during the run, has completed more than 90 marathons, including 12 Boston Marathons. He is also the founder and race director of the Mount Desert Island Marathon.

For more information about Allen or to donate to the Project, check out his website and Facebook page.

Image courtesy of the "Gary Allen - marathon runner, race director" Facebook page