Ernest Ervin Andrus

My name is Ernest Andrus and I broke the world’s record for the oldest person to run coast to coast. I started by touching the Pacific Ocean at Mission Beach, San Diego, CA on Oat)bet 7thf 2013 and touched the Atlantic Ocean on SaInt SImons Island, near Brunswick, GA on AuWst 20t11, 2016, one day after my 93M birthday. The feat was to raise money for the LST 325 Ship Memorial in a I started running back the other way at the age of 95. 1 ran through 5 states- While Lunning though TX I stopped and went to CA to take care of some health issues. I developed COVID-19 and Spit 20 Daw in the hospital and was still dealing with some health issues. A friend volunteered to finish my run for me and finish on my 100th birthday (August 19, 2023). Running became very difficult, so I walked 3 miles every Monday, Thursday & Saturday while my friend (John) walked on my route the same days. I eventually got back on the highway and was able to finish with John. We+crossed the sand Into the Pacific Ocean on my 100th birthday. I was one of the crew that brought the LST 325 back from the Isle of Crete, Greece to the US 200G2(X)1 as seen on the History Channel. You can still see this on YouTube (The Return of IST 325). One thousand ftftvone tSTs were built during World War II. The 325 is the only one left that is restored and operational. I hoped to raise enough money to return the ship to Normandy for a D-Day Memorial Service and beach it at the same location where it was on D'Day. The cost of taking this ship across the Atlantic and back is tremendous. I finished my Coast to Coast run and haven’t raised anywhere near enough money to accomplish this dream. I checked Into an Assistant living home and continued walking three days a week. I had to shorten my runs. I did a 1.01 mile walk for my 101 birthday. My legs gave out on me. I spent 3 months in hospital and rehabs with no improvement. I am now back in assistant living getting around in a wheelchair. I did a 1.02 mile for my 102 birthday. I will do a 1.03 for my 103 birthday. finishing at the Outback for a birthday lunch. No charge, all free, no fee, come join me. I’ll be in a wheelchair. You can join on Riot, wheelchair, strolled papoose. Didn’t raise the required funds so the money was used to help keep the ship seaworthy and take it to other ports to give tours. Learn more about the USS LST Ship Memorial here lstmemorial.ord

Ernest Ervin Andrus passed on September 7, 2026, at the age of 103, having been born on August 19, 1923.

Ernest resided in Redding, California, and his final resting place will be Forest Lawn, 1712 S Glendale Ave., Glendale.