The former Whanganui man has clocked up a long list of running achievements including a world masters record across America (51 days, 16 hours and 40 minutes), the second longest distance without sleep by a New Zealander (487km in 72 hours) and a circumnavigation of New Zealand in 71 days.
In 2011 he ran from Auckland to Christchurch, his city of birth, to raise money for the earthquake recovery.
The length of the country is one of the few New Zealand runs he's yet to knock off.
"It's something I've never done, but it's been on the cards for a while," Newburn, who will turn 63 during the record attempt, said.
The run will be just over 2000km which is less that half the distance of his American run. However, he will need to clock a much higher daily mileage - about 120km a day.
"So it's a tall order," he said.
"The unknown thing about it is going to be whether I can run through the Kaikoura part or if I'll have to run the long way around."
He said being diverted might add an extra 100km but he'd still be attempting the record.
"But I'm hoping by that stage I'll at least be able to run through."
Newburn said he was confident he could achieve his goal.
"Especially having done the three days runs I've done around Manfeild recently where I managed 160km a day."
Newburn is now training more than 200km a week.
"Which is crazy. But I'm feeling good with where my training is."
He is seeking sponsorship for each day, mainly to cover fuel costs covered for the whole trip.
Newburn will also use the run to raise money for Koru Care New Zealand.
"They take a group of children who have drawn the short straw in life to California or the Gold Coast."
He will be setting up a Givealittle page to raise funds for that.
Keep up to date with Newburn's attempt at the 'Length of New Zealand - 17 days' Facebook page.
