Rodeo Clown Puts His Spin on Commitment

After more than 1,700 miles and 123 days, Marvin Nash rolled his 180-pound barrel into town Thursday one tired rodeo clown.

“I think we’ve accomplished what we set out to do,” said Nash, whose arrival ended a cross-country stunt to promote his message of personal responsibility.

Well-wishers lined the streets for a parade to welcome Nash, who left Ocala, Fla., last December to reach Wyoming in time for a performing commitment at the Cody Nite Rodeo.

He said he plans to make Cody home.

“People have come to understand I believe in this so strongly I would walk 1,700 miles to make this point,” said Nash, 46. “They know it’s a bit of a wacky way to do this, but they respect it.”

Nash hoped the stunt would help sell copies of his video and promote his program “Sort It Out,” which teaches schoolchildren about making the right decisions in life. He spoke at several schools on the trip.

For 15 years, Nash, in clown attire, has given school presentations, talking about such things as decision-making and responsibility.

“Sometimes comedy, laughter and humor is a way to learn things,” Nash said.

Rachel Howell, 17, was downtown shopping and decided to stay for the parade.

“I think it’s really neat he’s doing it. It’s for a good cause,” she said. “Millions of people are hearing about it.”

Nash rolled the barrel nearly 900,000 revolutions, used nearly a dozen pairs of gloves and took, he said, more than 17 million steps.

After averaging 14.6 miles a day, Nash walked into Cody 15 pounds lighter, wearing the seventh pair of shoes of the trip, he said.

Nash’s family was also involved. His son was an escort driver. His wife handled publicity.

“I’m glad it’s over with,” Nash said. “But it’s good to be home.”