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Kevin Doyle just marched 645-miles, dressed up as a Star Wars Stormtrooper, from San Francisco to the Comic-Con Convention in San Diego. His reason for doing so will warm your heart and moisten your eyes.

Doyle, a 57-year-old illustrator and photographer from Minnesota, and his wife, Eileen, were huge Star Wars fans. The couple met through the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costume guild. Doyle proposed to her in 2009, dressed like Darth Vader. The couple married in 2010 and R2D2 was their ring bearer.

Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. Eileen died in November of 2012 from pancreatic cancer, and Doyle told The San Diego Union-Tribune that he’s struggled to cope with her death ever since. He quit his job, which caused him to lose his house.

So Doyle decided to do a 3-day walk in his Stromtrooper costume for a breast cancer non-profit in Minnesota. Afterwards, he came up with the idea to make the trek from San Fran to San Diego for the Comic Con which was 501 miles away. His route along the ocean turned into a beautiful 645 mile memorial journey by foot.

After he decided to travel to Petaluma, Calif. to check out a Star Wars museum, it occurred to him that he might also like to visit Comic-Con in San Diego. When Google Maps told him that San Francisco and San Diego were 501 miles apart—a callback to the 501st Legion—he decided it was fate. Doyle’s route along the coast, not along the highway, makes it 645 miles.

And in what sounds much like what happens to uncrewed runners during The Vol State 500K, strangers along the route were gratuitous and gifted Doyle with food, water, hugs, and encouragement. Doyle has been self-supported pushing a cart along his journey. He was even gifted with a hotel stay at the convention along with a 4-day Comic Con pass.

Doyle also was able to do a lot of good along his journey as he raised funds for a charity he started called Eileen’s Little Angels that provided kids going through chemo with coloring books, toys, and fun stuff (donate HERE).

You can also follow or read more about his epic journey from The Dark Side on his Twitter HERE.

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 1/2 Marathon that took place on June 2, 2013 in San Diego, California.

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[Medal photo submitted by Teri Dickerson. Follow on Twitter @tldickerson]

This is the medal for the Cougar Half Marathon that took place on June 10, 2012 in San Diego, CA.

A fierce medal with the cougar claws breaking through!

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[Medal submitted by RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales – follow her on Twitter @runlikeacoyote]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon that took place on June 3, 2012 in San Diego, California.

With Rock ‘n’ Roll medals it’s usually hit or miss. The RNR SD Half Marathon medal is a hit with it’s vibrant colors and calming sailboats and palm tree.

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[Medal submitted by RIF #15 Amber Goetz (@am3erkgb), Scot Britton (@scotbritton), Kevin Erickson (@MapleLeaf99), and Jenna Green (@jjgreens)

Here is the finisher’s medal from the Safari Park Half Marathon that took place on May 6, 2012 in San Diego, California at the San Diego Zoo.

This is a very cool and beautiful medal from a fun race through the zoo.

Check out Lisa’s Race Report on this race over at her blog (HERE).

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[Submitted by RIF #5 Lisa Gonzales. Follow her on Twitter @runlikeacoyote]

Here is the finisher’s medal from the San Diego Half Marathon that took place on March 11, 2012 in San Diego, California.

The race started at PETCO park where the San Diego Padres play their home games.

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[medal photo submitted by Penny Maus. Follow her on Twitter @redvelvetrunner]