Kiwi begins US run

A Feilding ultramarathon veteran was to have last night begun running across the United States, aiming to jog 100 kilometres a day for the next seven weeks.

Perry Newburn, 59, is attempting to break the record for the fastest coast-tocoast run across the United States, which stands at 46 days, 8 hours and 36 minutes.

He was to start his run at 5am (9pm NZ time) from the steps of New York’s City Hall.

His 5000-kilometre journey will take him through the Gateway to the West (St Louis), across the flat terrain of the Great Plains in the American Midwest and into American Indian reservations in New Mexico, before reaching Los Angeles’ City Hall.

The goal is to reach Los Angeles under the record time, set by the then 28-yearold Frank Giannino Jr in 1980.

Newburn completed a 5300km circumnavigation of New Zealand in 70 days in 2012, which he ran for the Mental Health Foundation, having struggled with a heroin addiction for 16 years during the 1970s and 1980s.

In that run he averaged about 75km a day, but he will need to increase that for this run to more than 100km a day.

Speaking from New York, Newburn said he could not wait to get going.

‘‘For the last few weeks I’ve been chomping at the bit to get started.’’

The run is in support of Koru Care in New Zealand and the worldwide group, Little Heroes Foundation.

Both groups held special significance for Newburn, who has a high specialneeds son, and he was hoping to raise $15,000 for each.

‘‘Koru Care take a special group of kids for a trip of a lifetime to California. ‘‘That’s a well worthwhile charity.’’

To follow Newburn’s run or donate visit his Facebook page: facebook.com/ perrysrunamericain50days/timeline

Fairfax NZ