Photo: Getty Images North America
Travis Barker has come a long way since surviving a fatal airplane crash in 2008, and one of those achievements is running. On Tuesday (June 18), the blink-182 drummer launched a wellness initiative called Run Travis Run that was inspired by his recovery from the accident.
"After my accident in 2008 more than 70% of my body was burnt and I was told by doctors that I may never be able to walk or play drums the same again," Barker wrote in a statement. "I was never athletic and I never played sports but I immediately had this urge to prove everyone wrong including myself."
It started off with short walks and then that turned into short runs everyday. I felt this sense of calmness and a rush of dopamine every time I ran. I’ve kept this up for years now, and I always start my day with it. I even run 3 miles everyday before my shows when I’m on tour," he added. "This past year I ran my first half marathon and participated in a few 5k’s. I loved how everyone from all walks of life ran together and supported one another. The running community is massive and it really inspired me to create Run Travis Run as a way to bring like minded people together. I wanna motivate people to get outside and walk or run for a few hours, as well as make healthy decisions and create healthy habits."
Run Travis Run will take place in Los Angeles on July 6 and Queens, New York on July 21, the morning of blink-182's shows in each city. The events are billed as a “360-degree experience of health, wellness and mindful explorations,” according to a press release. They will also feature fitness classes and mindfulness workshops, as well as “experiential activations” from brands.
Barker shared the news with a video re-enacting an iconic scene from Forrest Gump. See the announcement below and get more info about the initiative at the official Run Travis Run website.