Distance today = 44.58 km; Total distance = 26,149.12 km; Location = Thirroul – 34 19.203’ S, 150 55.422′ E; Start time = 0826, Finish time = 1637

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/373454702

Wow, what a day!!! There was too much happening and too many people involved through the day for me to list everything and everyone. So, I will attempt to describe the day via a list of thanks.

Firstly, to Barry, who ran with me over the initial 10 km, and organised a visit to my old high school. To all the students and staff from Lake Illawarra High who ran with me, and to all my old school friends and teachers who came out to meet me on the road and say hello. To the school staff, especially Principal Tony for the greeting, official school jersey, and donation to Oxfam, and to Deputy Phil, who ran with me. The school visit also entailed a lot of media. Special thanks to Greg Ellis for his extended coverage of the run.

From there, I headed down the road to my mother’s place, meeting lots of family members. Thanks to them all for the trouble they went to in order to be there. My sister, Linda, and brother Paul, then ran across the Windang Bridge with me, along with several others, including old school friends, Hughie, Darren, and Paul. There were so many involved to this point, it’s impossible to name them all, so thank you again to all of you.

It was all quite overwhelming, but perhaps the highlight of the morning was my 5th Grade teacher, Fay Holbert, coming along to meet me on the shores of Lake Illawarra. It’s been 40 years since I’ve seen her. What a great surprise!

The afternoon was very hot, running north past the steelworks with Matt, and then on into Wollongong, where I met Carmel and Hannah for lunch. It was the first time I’ve seen Hannah for three months.

I finished the day running on the cycle path to Thirroul, where I was again met by Karen, and then Chips. We finished at Chips’ and Jenny’s, where we are staying tonight. I have to admit to being very tired this evening, due to the combination of heat and hectic social schedule – nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix. I’m  looking forward to running along Sea Cliff Bridge tomorrow.

PS The Warilla Gorillas won their semi-final on the weekend, so I’m now looking forward to watching them in the grand final on Sunday week.

Distance today = 40.91 km; Total distance = 26,190.03 km; Location = Engadine – 34 03.988’ S, 151 00.919’E; Start time = 0811, Finish time = 1521

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/373944398

I had a great day of running, from Thirroul (where D.H. Lawrence lived while he wrote Kangaroo), up the spectacular coast and over Sea Cliff Bridge, through the Royal National Park, and finishing at Engadine.

Chips ran the whole way with me, and I was visited along the way by Jo and Kevin, old friends we originally met in Rome in 1986. Chook, Don, Wayne, and Rob also met us in the park, running the rest of the way, and then Carmel’s cousin, Patrick, also joined in for about 5 km. Chook was not going to let anyone near his record – he’s now up to 285 km.

And then, Klitty and Kevvy the Moth met us at the finish to say hello – what a way to finish a day!!

Tonight we’re staying at Jo and Dave’s, so I’d better get a move on, or I’ll miss dinner.

Distance today = 31.05 km; Total distance = 26,221.08 km; Location = Tempe – 33 55.536’ S, 151 09.597′ E; Start time = 0825, Finish time = 1307

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/374379167

The weather was again spectacular as I made my way to within striking distance of the finish.

I was met at the start by a variety of people. Running with me were Chook, Rob, and Wayne, who have flown over from NZ to run the final few days with me, along with Don, who acted as support crew today (Carmel was there early on, but headed home to attend to some necessary issues). Kate also ran with me again, as did Peter, representing my sponsor, Asia Pacific Digital.

I was also joined by several of the Tour de Bois, including Mother, Robbo, Duane, Bill, Dave C, Stuart, and Kenny. They gave me a bicycle escort for a while. Bernie and Leslie also dropped by.

We passed by Klitty’s factory and dropped in to say hello. Kate left us at the 16 km mark, and the rest of the morning was spent running into the inner city. I finished the day just after 1 pm.

Tomorrow will be a short day, and I will be arriving at the Sydney Opera House at 1 pm. Come along and join us, both there and at the Clovelly Hotel afterwards for celebrations. And if you’re up early,  have a look at the Today Show around 7:13 am tomorrow morning.