This week’s Hometown Hero is Nick Nickerson, a Chapel Hill resident who ran 3,000 miles in order to raise money for research into the causal factors associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Nickerson ran in many marathons and training races to accumulate the miles, finishing with a run to the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on January 12. He turned 74 years old the day after.

“This run has been an amazing experience,” said Nickerson in a release. “I have met a ton of generous and caring people, many I don’t know, who have supported my effort.”

Nickerson began his journey on April 2, 2017 on the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day. 97.9 The Hill WCHL featured him as a Hometown Hero that same year to highlight his efforts to raise money to find a solution to the disorder.

Listen to this week’s Hometown Hero segment:

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