I took another phone call yesterday from New York in regard to the upcoming Runner’s World article. The magazine has put in a lot of effort and gone into an enormous amount of detail with this story and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it turns out, particularly as it’s the largest circulation running publication in the world. I’m not sure yet, but I believe it will probably appear in the March edition, which should hit the news stands perhaps as early as mid February in the US. I assume it will also appear in the Australian version, but will verify this when I find out for sure.

The book is also progressing well. It’s pretty much into the technical phase of publication now and, as mentioned previously, is scheduled to be in the book stores on June 29.

Kevin Carr had a big day yesterday but is not feeling so well today, struggling with a sore throat and bad cough. Hopefully it will just be a one day affliction. He has now reached the Gulf of Mexico and will be heading east toward Florida. He now has about 4,430 km to run in 80 days.

On This Day

Jan 20, 2012

Distance today = 52.56 km; Total distance = 1053.48 km; Location = Blenheim, NZ –  41 30.674′ S, 173 57.566′ E; Start time = 0831, Finish time = 1607

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/143075506

Today was a hard slog. It was the hottest day of the run so far, with the sun beaming down on me all day long. And there were lots of hills and mountain passes to traverse as well. But it was all worth it, as I passed vineyard after vineyard entering the Marlborough region.

Then the support crew surprised me with the accommodation they had arranged – a fantastic couple of units at the Marlborough Vinter’s Hotel. Check out the photos on the Home Page. It’s superb. Thank you very much to all the staff here at this very luxurious establishment. I’m looking forward shortly to sampling some the world famous sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs of the region, kindly provided by the hotel.

I’m a little tired after a big week so far. In the first five days of this week I’ve chalked up 286 km. I’m looking forward to a bit of a rest now. Tomorrow I only have a short day of 28 km to the Wellington ferry at Picton. We will be saying goodbye to the South Island, and heading across the Cook Strait to the North Island.