TEMECULA, CA — Pechanga Resort Casino Table Games dealer Joshua Kraus is striving to break a world record this summer, as part of a team to highlight the health and wellness of veterans.
According to Ciara Green, the resort spokesperson, Kraus has long been a Pechanga Resort Casino dealer in their exclusive card room. “For 22 years. His colleagues and Pechanga guests know him for his friendly demeanor and dealing cards in the high-limit salon where some high-tiered guests like to play,” she said.
Outside of the casino, Joshua runs…a lot. Like he’s always chasing something, she said. “Usually, it’s a dream, or what he likes to call, challenges.
Friday, Joshua and 11 other ultramarathoners lace up their shoes, pack their bags for the cross-country challenge, dream and a world record. Part of Team Red, White and Blue, the dozen relay runners who are also former United States military, enlisted to run across the country with the American Flag in 15 days (or less).
Their mission is to set a world record for relaying a single American flag from San Diego to Washington, D.C. while raising $1 million for Veteran health and wellness.
Josh says a runner most of his life, his enthusiasm for ultramarathon running has ramped up over the last 10 years.
“My dive into ultramarathoning started while I was volunteering with the Temecula Time Machine youth running club,” said Kraus. “Another parent told me about the Kodiak 100—a brutal 100-mile race that loops around Big Bear Lake. Coincidentally, it was scheduled on my birthday that year. Getting into that race was a journey in itself. The race directors required runners to have finished at least a 50-miler before even being considered. I eventually qualified, signed up, and never looked back. I’ve been hooked since.”
He is a former Navy servicemember. The organizers of the Team Red, White, and Blue Relay tapped Kraus to be one of the 12 runners after learning about his passion for the sport. Lately, he’s been practicing, running around Patricia Birdsall Sports Park, carrying an American Flag.
“Running across the country is easily the most epic thing I’ll have ever done—but joining 11 other military veteran ultrarunners, carrying the American flag, makes it so much bigger than just me and truly special. It makes me proud to be a veteran and to represent the men and women who took the same oath to protect this country. It’s also a culmination of all the miles I’ve run in pursuit of being my best.”
In addition to the team’s goal of raising more than one million dollars to support Veterans’ health and wellness, Kraus says he hopes special attention will be paid to a major issue facing vets.
“The biggest issue, right now, I think, is veteran suicide. Mental health struggles like PTSD and depression, especially after service, remain the leading crisis. Team RWB fights veteran suicide by building community, promoting fitness, and creating purpose through connection.”
And as for his family, who also enjoy running, but not to the level he does, Kraus says they’re very proud of his undertaking.
“They know how much my military service means to me and understand what this run represents—both the purpose behind it and the work I’ve put in to get here.”
Pechanga Resort Casino has furthered the team’s goal by sponsoring Josh Kraus for $5,000. Support Kraus and Team Red, White and Blue in the Old Glory Relay online.
