FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A runner from Belgium who ran off-course and found himself lost in Franklin on Tuesday was offered a warm welcome by local residents.

(Photo courtesy of TrAils To Ales Brewery)

Eddy Plume was nearing the end of his 3,355.40 mile journey across the United States in an attempt to beat a world record that has stood since 1928 when he accidentally found his way to Franklin. He had already been on the road for 50 days, with many of them alone, as his running partner suffered an injury and was hospitalized ten days into the run and is still attempting to catch up by bicycle.

Photo courtesy of Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Somehow Eddy managed to get off-course and ended up in Franklin, unable to speak much English and relying on a translation app on his phone to help him communicate. Luckily, the first person he met was Tony Neidich, of West Park Guitar, who took him to TrAils to Ales Brewery after he used his phone to ask: “Where can I get beer and ice cream?”

The owners of TrAils to Ales then made contact with some other locals, and they decided that Eddy would be well taken care of while he was in Franklin. They provided him with the beer he was hoping to find and decided to take things a step further.

Overall, thirteen local businesses pulled together to make sure Eddy’s stay in Franklin would be a memorable one.

He was provided accommodations at Peddlers and Paddlers and dinner at Bella Cucina and spent the remainder of his evening in Franklin conversing, through his translation app on his phone, with a group of local business people and friends to show him Franklin’s hospitality.

“It was really cool, and we had a great evening,” Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jodi Lewis told exploreClarion.com.

Throughout the evening’s conversation, the community members who were showing Eddy hometown hospitality learned that Eddy, who is a father of five, is a Rotarian, and they discovered something quite interesting. After a quick head-count of those in attendance, they realized that everyone who came together to dine with Eddy were either Franklin Rotarians or individuals who had applied for membership and included Rotary President Zachary Covington, Past President Corey Ritchey, and incoming President Jodi Baker-Lewis.

Photo courtesy of TrAils To Ales Brewery.

In honor of the evening, they decided that Eddy should leave town with something special the following day.

“When he left, he left with a Franklin Rotary flag signed by all of the Rotarians pinned to his back,” Lewis noted.

“I was able to run with him from the B&B to the bottom of Victory Heights where he continued on his journey. I chatted with him, via text, where he was secure in Brookville for the night. I will check with him every other day and am looking forward to his return to Franklin, where he promises to visit longer.”

According to Lewis, Eddy said his night in Franklin was “his best night in America so far.”

From Brookville, Eddy will be heading toward his end point at the Statue of Liberty, where his 13-year-old son — already a runner who has managed his own non-stop 20-kilometer run — and other family members will be waiting.