I’ve pulled up without a problem after my little foray into the world of speed yesterday. Not that 3:54 per km is particularly fast, but I guess it depends on to whom you’re speaking. I’m now very enthusiastic about the possibility of “beating my age” at the City to Surf. I just have to make sure I don’t get carried away and run myself into a break down again.

On this day three years ago I left the town of Fairplay, Colorado, having run into the town the previous afternoon. For those who don’t know, Fairplay is the town on which the cartoon series South Park is based. You can read more about the day below in the On This Day section. And today’s photo is from Fairplay, which now openly promotes itself as South Park.

On This Day

Apr 24, 2012

Distance today = 50.36 km; Total distance = 5527.27 km; Location = Wilkerson Pass Summit, Colorado (2 km west of) – 39 02.862′ N, 105 32.504′ W; Start time = 0821, Finish time = 1544

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/171481067

As you will see from today’s photos, I had the pleasure of passing through South Park. I guess it doesn’t look too differently from the cartoon, if that’s possible – you just need to use your imagination. I didn’t see Cartman or his friends, though.

The whole day was spent between 9,000 and 10,000 feet in altitude. Tomorrow I start my downhill run to the edge of the Rockies. I’m led to believe there is quite a distinct demarcation between the mountain range and the plains to the east.

I also saw a herd of bison on the high plains today. They weren’t wild, though – just part of a farmer’s herd.

I’ve had lots of questions and requests about maps of my route. If you’d like to see either where I’ve run so far, or where I plan to run, just click on the Journey tab on the menu bar. The remaining course can be viewed by clicking on the link at the bottom of the section.

I’ve also had many questions pertaining to when I’ll be passing through Denver. If you’re interested, stay tuned to this site for updates, but the best estimate at the moment is around April 30. Anyone wanting to come out and run with me, you’re most welcome. I should have T-Mobile reception again by then, so the tracker will be working constantly, and you’ll be able to pin-point my position throughout the day.

Speaking of the tracker, it is currently giving my position as Lake George, which is where we’re staying the night. The official run position is about 20 km to the west.

Finally, to all those who are wondering what has happened to the Red Wine Value Quotient (RWVQ), I haven’t forgotten about it – it’s just that I’m not finding the same sort of value as I did in California. I will try to provide some recommendations, even if they don’t surpass the earlier “value wines”.

Apr 24, 2013

Distance today = 51.00 km; Total distance = 19,922.79 km; Location = Mali Beograd, Serbia – 45 53.463′ N, 19 38.038′ E; Start time = 0827, Finish time = 1707

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/302627027

More lovely Serbian countryside today. The skies were again cloudless, and the terrain was flat. Once again, the countryside, with its yellow canola and bright green fields, reminded me uncannily of riding the Tour de Bois. I think its the smell of spring in the air too – it’s exactly the same time of year as the Tour.

I was pleased to knock over 51 km by 5 pm, as it was again a SIM card day, and that process tends to take a big chunk out of my day. Half way through the day I stopped in the large town of Subotica, where Carmel had gone ahead to “suss out” SIMs. The standard international carriers – Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange etc. – don’t appear to operate in Serbia, so we had to go with a local company, MTS. After our experience in France with SFR, I was very concerned, but MTS seem to be fine.

It reached 30 C this afternoon, but I appear to be handling the heat very well. I guess it’s because the humidity is still low. This will not be the case in a month, when I’m running in South-East Asia. Yes, it’s that soon!!!

Perhaps we’ve just been lucky so far, but I am tempted to say that the Serbian people – at least those we’ve experienced so far – have been the friendliest yet of any we’ve  met on the world run. That’s saying something, as most people have been very friendly. Let’s see how that pans out over the next week or so.