Woman aims to break record with run from LA to NYC

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A New York City elementary school teacher hopes to become the fastest woman to run all the way from Los Angeles to the Big Apple.

Keila Merino kicked off her two-month-long journey at City Hall Friday night.

Many say a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step, and the same goes for a 3,000-mile run. Add all those steps up and you may see a new world record by Merino.

Merino is hoping to finish her run in less than 69 days, which would break the women's world record for a cross-country run.

In order to reach her goal, Merino will have to run 50 to 60 miles a day, which is the equivalent of two marathons a day, every day, for two months.

"I've been training for this for the last few months, and I've been running up to 30 miles a day for about two weeks straight," she explained.

The ambitious athlete's last tune-up race was a 100K run around New York City.

Merino said she's not just running for the record. She is a school teacher and is raising money for a children's running charity.

"I see a lot of different, negative things happening with the kids with obesity and diabetes and things that shouldn't happen but are happening because we're not making that a priority," she exclaimed.

Merino said she plans to be running from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., sleeping during the day and using an RV for bathroom duties.

It is an unusual journey of 3,000 miles one step at a time.

"I'm really excited about the sunsets and the sunrises that I'll get to see," said Merino. "But most importantly, the people and just seeing America."

To follow Merino's journey, click here.