Newburn on the road again for charity

Perry Newburn is running for 24-hours around Manfeild to raise money for Idea Services' day centre in Feilding.

Perry Newburn has probably done more laps of Manfeild on foot that many racing drivers in the country's fastest cars.

And the former Whanganui man will add to his tally when he sets off on a 24-hour run around the 3km circuit on Wednesday morning.

Newburn is raising money for upgrades to the sensory room at Idea Services' day centre in Feilding which his son Shaun attends.

"It's very important for some of the people there. They've got one but they want to really get it up to date and it needs money spent on it," Newburn said.

"Again it's about people being able to come down and run a few laps on Manfeild for at least a gold coin donation towards the cause."

This will be Newburn's fourth charity run at Manfeild having completed two 72-hour and a 48-hour runs in the past four years.

Last time Newburn raised about $3500 for charity and he had a similar goal this time.

The 62-year-old is aiming to cover about 190km over the 24 hours but said this run was not about record setting. He's done plenty of that before.

In 2013 he ran 487km in 72-hours which was a New Zealand record for distance run without sleep.

In 2014 he set the masters world record - and one of the top five times overall - for running from New York to Los Angeles, crossing the United States in 51 days, 16 hours and 40 minutes.

Newburn is using tomorrow's run as build up for bigger goals towards the end of the year including a Cape Reinga to Bluff run.

"I'm looking at 17 days for that," Newburn said. "I've already got a driver so I just need to hit up a few sponsors to cover a bit of cost.

"I'm getting pretty close to where the endurance was before the States."

Newburn will set off on 8am this Wednesday and will cover probably more than 60 laps of the track over the 24 hours. He has support runners to keep him company during the night.

"I know every direction to go and the best way to go around that track," he said. "I probably know it more than most car drivers."

Newburn is encouraging people to come along and have a go themselves, even if it's just one lap.

"The more the merrier. I'll be down their rain, hail or shine. It's all fun."

**Anyone wanting to join Perry can enter through the main gates between 8am and 5pm. Entrance after hours is through Rata St. Text 027 285 6389 and someone will open that gate.