MAXWELL, Iowa — A cross county/track and field volunteer coach at Collins-Maxwell High School is getting ready to run across Iowa for a good cause.

In March, Robbie Erickson will run west from Muscatine, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska. He’s hoping to complete the 276-mile journey in just four days, with little room for rest.

“I’m just going to run it through, that’s what I’m going to do. I’ll take quick cat naps when I need to. I’ve got emergency blankets, when I need to just throw one on bundle up where I can find something cozy, lay down for 90 seconds, maybe 2 minutes, get up, and go,” said Erickson.

Erickson is no stranger to ultra-marathons, but his longest lasted two days. While this is the first time he will run this far, those who know him seem to have the same reaction.

“Typical Robbie,” said girls track coach and Collins-Maxwell Middle and High School cross country coach Jerry Meinerts.

However, Erickson isn’t only embarking on this journey for himself. He’s raising funds for a new timing system that will benefit the school.

“Right now we have to rent a timing system. So, it’s extra cost for us and we are at the mercy of the timing company,” said Meinerts.

In the two years Meinerts and Erickson have coached together, they’ve both noticed a need for this system.

“We are a small, rural school and so, for us to be able to afford equipment such as a timing system, I mean, group sourcing is our only true option at the end of the day,” said Erickson.

Planning an ultra-marathon to fundraise for his athletes describes the kind of coach Erickson is, according to Meinerts.

“He would do anything for his athletes… like I knew he would find a way to raise some money for us. He said coach I’m getting you that timing system, I’m gonna run across Iowa. And I’m like, if anyone can do it, Robbie can do it,” said Meinerts.

Erickson is setting an example to the athletes he trains, like Collins-Maxwell sophomore, Jayden Peters.

“Robbie is just super inspirational, and he, every time, before a race or meet, he’s like ‘you got this.’ He always tells me to say mantras in my head,” said Jayden.

But his athletes also inspire him. While on his journey across the state, Robbie will be saying his own mantras, including a message from Jayden.

“She said, ‘Go be great Robbie,’ so that’s now something I remind myself now,” said Robbie.

The fundraiser, called Timing is Everything, is a nod to the timing system that the school needs.