MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Hough family has embarked on a challenging mission.
From Pinehurst, North Carolina, this family is as tough as nails. They're honing their competitive spirits for a phenomenal cause.
Click here to support donate to the Hough's family's Smile Train fundraiser
Jeremy, Kelly, Campbell and Caroline Hough loaded up their RV in September to embark on the journey of a lifetime.
"We actually started out in September 11 in Alaska to run a 5K in all 50 states in 50 days," said Kelly Hough. "The whole idea is to do something challenging that most people don't do everyday- run a 5K in all 50 states."
They're right on track. So far, the family has finished 38 5K races in 38 states. They have 12 races left, but they aren't doing it for themselves. They run in races, but when a race isn't happening (which can be common during weekdays), they run their own races as a family. They're running to support Smile Train.
"They are an international cleft organization, the largest in the world and what they do is they go into other countries that don't have the same healthcare systems as we do here and they help people with clefts and families to get the care they need," said Campbell Hough.
Campbell was born with a cleft, and although she was fortunate to receive excellent medical care, the Hough family knows that's not the case for everyone.
"Kelly and I have visited a hospital in Thailand- Campbell and I have visited a hospital in Colombia and I've also had an opportunity to visit a hospital in the Philippines and you see these faces of families that are affected by it and what the power of a smile is when you can help out," said Jeremy Hough.
The Houghs say clefts affect 1 in 700 babies globally and the condition often requires years of surgeries and comprehensive care.
"Adults with cleft lips and palettes around the world are doing something hard every day. They're not able to smile, they're not able to eat correctly and get the proper nutrition. So we thought we've got to do something hard and raise awareness," added Kelly.
The Houghs says one of their favorite parts about this challenge is meeting people across the country.
"In Sioux Falls, South Dakota we met this elderly couple and they have a son with a cleft lip. And we were talking to them and we go to find their Instagram and we see they have a mutual friend. It was cool that in the middle of South Dakota-- where we've never been that we have this mutual friend," said Caroline.
In the meantime, they're trying to raise as much money as they can for smile train. They say anything helps.
"Instead of going to Starbucks for a week, give us some funds for this amazing cause," said Campbell.
The family heads to Biloxi, Mississippi for their next 5K race on Saturday. Their final race is set for October 31 in Maui, Hawaii.