Minnesota man runs from South Dakota to Grand Portage to raise awareness of human trafficking

Zack Jennissen spent the month of May walking and running across Minnesota.

His steps had a purpose: To raise awareness about, and ultimately to help end human trafficking.

The 19-year-old from Foley, Minn., set out May 1 from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His destination: Lake Superior and Grand Portage.

Jennissen is aligned with the organization 30ForFreedom during his travels this May. The nonprofit also works to raise awareness on issues involving human and sex trafficking.

Jennissen stopped by WTIP May 25 to share an update on his journey. He ate primarily “gas station food” for the first two weeks before deciding that diet was not sufficient to the lifestyle he was currently embracing. Sore ankles and knees throughout have changed the run to a much slower pace, he said. That being the case, Jennissen was close to the finish line at the Canadian border. He planned to finish his journey during Memorial Day weekend.

Listen to the audio below to hear a discussion between WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs and Jennissen.

Click here to learn more about Jennissen and his journey from South Dakota to Grand Portage.

Joe Friedrichs May 27, 2023