As the temperature drops, Perry Newburn has picked up the pace, notching up two 100km-plus days as he completed the first fortnight of his trans-American run yesterday.
The former Wanganui man, now living in Feilding, is attempting to break the world record for running from New York to Los Angeles.By the end of day 14, Newburn had covered more than 1000km of the 4600km journey and had made it to Indiana, the sixth state on his trip.
"The temperatures have been cool, every now and again a cool breeze comes through," Newburn said via video on his Facebook page during the week.
"Awesome day, things went well, the body was handling it. [It's a] cooler temperature this morning, so this is getting more like New Zealand weather."
His second week included two runs into the night. The first one was cut short due to safety concerns while yesterday he also ran through the evening.
"We're going to have a really big day today," Newburn said on Sunday night (yesterday afternoon NZ time). The extra running time would help him catch up the distance he fell behind in the first week as he eased into the run. He needs to average 100km a day. "We'll get a few hours sleep before we're back on the road tomorrow morning."
Yesterday he had a support runner, Jacob Nash with him who was surprised how well Newburn was holding up.
"For someone who's been doing this for two straight weeks and who's been as chipper as he has, making jokes, laughing and talking, it's unbelievable. He's talking more than I am right now."
Newburn has been well supported by people running alongside him and around the globe in support. At the end of next week he will be nearing the halfway mark.
