New Zealand's 'Forrest Gump' hit by truck in charity run across US

Kiwi charity runner Nick Ashill is in a hospital in America after he was hit by a truck that failed to stop. Photo / Facebook

A New Zealander running across the US for charity has been injured in a hit-and-run crash.

US authorities are appealing for witnesses after Dr Nick Ashill, who is 80 days into his marathon journey, was hit by a pick-up truck in Ohio early on Wednesday morning (local time).

Ashill was flown to the OSU Wexner Medical Centre and is in a fair condition, according to US news agencies.

The American University of Sharjah, where Ashill is a professor of marketing, posted he had been hurt but did not know the extent of his injuries.

US reports say Ashill was running along the westbound lanes on the US Route 40 near the Clark/Madison County line in Somerford Township when he was bowled by a vehicle that did not stop.

Troopers say the truck - believed to be a Chevy or GMC pick-up - may have damage to the right mirror or right side and are appealing for witnesses to the crash.

The 53-year-old is running from Los Angeles to New York in a

Forrest Gump

-style marathon to raise money and awareness for pulmonary fibrosis.

He began the 5400km quest in May and expected to take 110 days to reach New York.

Before he embarked on the journey the former Victoria University lecturer told the Herald it was about fulfilling a long-held dream.

"I want to accomplish something that has long been a deep-seated desire for a very long time - to run across America," said Ashill.