Tony Mangan's family is always in his mind as he strides around the world. Photo / George Novak
Tony Mangan sits in his host's Pillans Pt home, resting his feet, having a cuppa.
He's rebuilding strength to continue his world walk to raise awareness of early cancer screening.
The Irishman says he's just 160km short of logging 20,000km.
A Bay of Plenty Times Weekend photographer's request to take a picture outside on the street elicits a question: "How far is it?" Mangan's not keen for the extra metres.
"My legs are pretty battered, but my heart still wants to travel. I love meeting people."
He started his trek in February 2016 in Dublin. He estimates he'll walk 40,000 to 50,000km, depending on the route.
It's his third trip around the planet – he cycled the world as a 22-year-old and ran it nearly three decades later.
In the middle of that world run, his mum was diagnosed with late-stage bowel cancer. "I considered shortening the trip, but she wouldn't let me do it. My dream had become her dream."
His mum survived to walk the finish line with Mangan in 2014. "Thank God my mam was there." She died five months after he completed his run.
Today, he honours his mum's legacy, bearing a message printed on business cards: "Life is precious. Early cancer screening saves lives…"
Mangan said he was encouraged by the fact four people had emailed him to say their cancers were discovered as a result of his campaign.
The 60-year-old weathered another tragedy when his younger brother died of a heart attack in December 2016.
He got the call in China and flew home to Ireland just in time for the funeral. "Every morning when I wake up I think of him and I think of my mother." He has already walked Northern Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China and Australia.
Mostly, Mangan said he was upbeat. All of New Zealand is extra mileage, since the World Runners Association rules state foot travellers wishing to circumnavigate the globe can tick off the Antipodes by walking Australia.
"There's no way I could miss New Zealand. I have too many friends here."
And he's meeting new mates every day.
"It's unbelievable, the hospitality I've been having. People from coast to coast have been stopping me asking do I need a drink, do I need a lift- I never take a lift. I've had so many invites into people's homes."
He said five or six hoteliers had given him free rooms.
When he tried to buy a $7 meal of fish and chips at the Bull Ring Cafe in Atiamuri, the server gave him extra fish, salad, icecream and energy drink.
"And he said, 'There's your $7 back and stay here tonight if you want to.'
"My sister back in Ireland said 'there is so much hospitality, your blog is starting to look like a thank-you manual'."
Mangan said often, when he asked families if he could tent on their properties, they invited him into their homes for a meal, shower, laundry access and a bed for the night.
His Tauranga host, Ross Steele, is no stranger to ultra-running and walking events, having completed 100 marathons (as of last year).
Steele drove to Putaruru to fetch Mangan, whom he friended on Facebook five years ago.
"[I was] keen to extend Kiwi hospitality to him and even though he was off-route for me, I thought I'm gonna put the welcome mat out there."
Steele said Mangan had been great to talk to.
Our 75-minute visit with the Irish world walker revealed a man with a gift for craic (banter) and a trove of stories.
He recounted watching President Donald Trump's election from a yurt in Mongolia; finding a random Irish flag at the Russian/Mongolian border by the side of the road after he'd lost his flag in a storm; being manhandled by a burly Russian; and getting robbed of $30 in Panama.
He said none of these scenarios resulted in serious harm – his biggest physical ailments are leg and foot pain that he can often ease by rubbing sore spots.
Mangan had been an extreme runner, representing Ireland six times.
He was the first runner in history to run two consecutive days of more than 200km; he has broken four world records, currently holding the 48-hour indoor track record (426km) and the world 48-hour treadmill record (405km).
The former copier service technician and construction worker sold his car and other possessions to fund part of his trip.
Lacking big corporate sponsors, he travels cheaply, carrying an eight to 10kg backpack with essentials such as a small tent and three backup battery packs (two solar-powered) for his phone.
His website, myworldwalk.com, has buttons for Paypal donations for people wishing to buy him food and supplies.
"Yesterday I didn't spend a penny. Today it looks like I'm not going to spend a penny… it's actually more expensive in China and Vietnam – I don't have the connection and network. Chinese don't do Facebook. It's forbidden."
In other countries, Mangan pushes his cart called Karma, but he said Kiwi roads were too narrow, so he wears a backpack instead.
He'll continue walking through Hamilton and Auckland, finishing New Zealand before reuniting with Karma near Brisbane on the 14th.
He could be on the road several more years.
"Generally I'm upbeat and I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I enjoy the adventure and the challenge…Probably when I'm being lowered in a coffin I'll be still checking out Google maps."
*Follow Tony Mangan online at www.myworldwalk.com or find him on Facebook
World Walker Tony Mangan – Numbers
*15 pairs of shoes on this world walk so far
*expected to need 50 pair of shoes, total
*5000km walked/130 road days in Australia
*extra clothing: 2 spare T-shirts; 1 pair shorts; 1 pair spare socks; 1 jacket; 1 disposable poncho