Running the race after the parade

Angelique Flores

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- While spectators walk away to watch the Fourth of

July fireworks, Tom Jones will begin his four-month-long marathon across

the country.

But first, this extreme athlete from Huntington Beach will be honored as

the Sports Grand Marshal of the 96th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of

July Parade.

Jones, 37, plans to make his third and most ambitious run to raise

awareness and money for abused and neglected children by starting at the

parade and ending in New York. Through previous runs, he has already

raised more than $200,000 for child abuse awareness.

“I do it because it’s the right thing to do, and I know what it’s like to

have those obstacles in your life,” Jones said.

Jones said he hopes to raise at least $250,000, which will be donated to

the CHARM Foundation, a nonprofit group that helps abused children.

Jones said he was a victim of abuse and was taken from his home when he

was 8. He lived in a children’s home until he turned 18. Then he enlisted

in the Marine Corps.

Now he’s a personal trainer, martial arts champion and long-distance

runner. In his spare time, he works with children involved with gang

violence and does motivational speaking and various charity work for

abused children.

Jones said he and his wife, Brandi, are expecting their first child.Jones

plans to run a 26.2-mile marathon a day for 120 days, arriving in time in

New York for the New York Marathon.

“It’s not just the run, but where he’s doing it,” said Mike Hoffman, a

spokesman from Logic Nutrition, which sponsors Jones.

Jones will run across everything from crowded city streets to open

highways with 18-wheelers zooming by. And he’s hoping to gather

politicians, professional athletes and other celebrities along the way.

“Fifty years ago, they thought we’d never go to the moon, but you have to

believe in the absurd, in the unbelievable. This is the same thing,”

Jones said.

Jones said he hopes to act as a role model and prove to others who have

been abused that they can still accomplish their dreams.

“He’s a neat American guy who’s doing a neat American thing,” Hoffman

said.

Other grand marshals of the parade include:

* Citizen Grand Marshal Nick Eckovich -- In September, the Huntington

Beach police officer was shot during a beauty salon robbery. Though

wounded, he was able to save the lives of three residents who had been

held hostage at the business.

* Community Grand Marshal Bob Gibbons -- Gibbons, an accountant, helps

seniors with their taxes even though they cannot afford to pay. He is

being honored for volunteering with a number of local service

organizations and nonprofit groups, such as the Kiwanis Club.

* Celebrity Sports Grand Marshal Tony Gonzalez -- The Kansas City Chiefs

tight end is a Huntington Beach native with strong ties to the community.

* Celebrity Grand Marshal Alan Thicke -- Thicke is best known for his

role as psychiatrist and father Jason Seaver on the television series

“Growing Pains.”

As grand marshals, each will participate in the parade.