In Port Augusta, Now for the great Australian Outback!
Total: 28,309km for 662 road days.
Easter Sunday, March 31st I ran 62km finishing very strong to arrive here. We were met on the bridge by Tiffany, Mitch and their four children Zara, Fergus, Ruby and George our kind and wonderful hosts for tonight. I have eaten them out of their children’s Easter eggs, shame on me 
Despite a little rain in the morning it turned out to be a nice day. Halfway through today’s run I was kick started by Steve and Zowie who ran her longest run of her life with me 6km, well done Zowie.
They also ran with me a couple of days ago. It seems that Zowie is related to Irish literary legend, Brendan Behan as her grandfather is Brendan’s brother.
Yesterday 57km, more rain and stops,Good Friday was a Good day with 60km run and no rain that day, but lots of bugs, so many it was necessary to don my bug mask as I ran. Even poor Michael wore his as he sat in his car as it was too hot for an open window.
All in all it has been great weather for me, no complaints or really oppressive heat.
Not sure what the daily average is since my departure from Queenscliff on March 13th is but surely in the 55km/57km per day region as today’s run was my 18th consecutive 50km plus day. It’s amazing that every time I think I have reached my limit, I find there is always another limit.
Now for the big news, here I go again putting myself out on the line to dry again!
I have decided that I want to celebrate my 56th birthday on April 20th by running into that iconic of cities, Alice Springs.
Alice Springs, like an oasis in the middle of the desert, the center of the Outback. In the middle of this huge vast continents of countries. Well the only thing is that it’s 1,026km away! That’s more than 61km per day, every day, for another 20 days straight! And that’s after the last 3 days of sixty average. There is not much on the way to the Springs, so we will take a lot of food and water with us.
Easter Monday I will be run out of Port Augusta by Tiffany’s running club for the start of the run through the Outback.. I am excited, like a child waiting for Christmas. I will have little or no internet for a while, so please keep checking comments as I may be able to get the odd text through to Ann to submit an update from time to time. As always I didn’t get the blog updated, time is my biggest enemy but on the other hand for the slow runner like me time is also my great friend because with even a slow pace combined with lots of time this equals a huge distance!
G’day mateys 
March 31st, 2013 at 7:14 pm
tony, those are great articles and a great plan for alice springs. good luck and happy easter. well done. kevin
April 1st, 2013 at 1:32 am
Happy Easter Tony, looks like you spent Easter doing what you enjoy most. Take care Ann:)
April 1st, 2013 at 4:32 am
Hi Tony
what a lovely time. The crew that ran with you this morning really enjoyed your sharing of stories and goals. The kids are a buzz and have already starting planning a running training schedule (lol) Thank you so much for spending time with us and letting us feel apart of your great adventure. Looking forward to your updates especially your birthday Many Thanks the Hancocks of Port Augusta (Tiff, Mitch, Zara, Fergus, Ruby and George)
April 1st, 2013 at 9:24 am
Hi Tony,
Think I have worked out how to message………!
Glad you had chance to enjoy easter eggs. Great to see you continuing to make such good time, you are lucky you only had one bad day of flies lol I spend alot of time on a sheep farm they seem to enjoy this area!
Keep up the great run at least its all North now
April 2nd, 2013 at 5:03 am
Glad you had a good Easter, all the best as you head into the outback. Really hope that you reach you’re goal of Alice Springs for your birthday. Huge effort. Good Luck Denis
April 3rd, 2013 at 6:04 am
Hi Tony, it was great to have a run with you. Hope you make Alice Springs on time, and good luck with the rest of your massive run. Steve and Zoe
April 5th, 2013 at 3:20 am
Keeping any eye on your GPS seems like your powering along. Hope the heat doesn’t affect your distances, Cheers the Hancocks
April 7th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Hi Tony, we did the Clare half marathon today and it went really well although the body is complaining a little lol. Kirsty ran 1 50, i did 2 05 and Maggie did 2 15. We are all feeling really happy with times and we commented on the fact that we used your positive words and presence as motivation during the run. Thank you Tiffany and the Hancocks.
PS Looks like you are close to Coober Pedy (dont forget to watch out for big holes in the moonscape)
April 8th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
We were driving up to Cooper Pedy on 6 April around 3pm when we spotted Tony running. Just had to get out and run. Ran and talked to Tony for a couple of kms. Monday 8th heading back to Adelaide saw him again and stopped to say hello again. Hope you make it to Alice in time for your birthday . Cheers Vania pannowitch
April 8th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Hey Tony–good luck on AS for your BD—It is a tough slog but I think you will make it!!!—Enjoyed the articles and the interview—–you are like a machine man—-nothin’ stop you—keep it up and good running–Greg
April 9th, 2013 at 3:34 am
In Coober Pedy after a joyous 29km this morning. I gave Michael the morning off as we had commuted forward here last night, so I just dropped water bottles on the road on the way back to yesterdays finish. I am planning to give him the afternoon off also as he deserves it so much, will just run with water and snacks in my pack and hands for 30 odd km and he will pick me up later to commute back here also for tonight.
this first internet in 9 days. The Outback is much like Patagonia only more interesting. the flies are unreal, I have to wear a fly mask which is hot. The days are very hot now, but am comfortable. out running now after lunch total 28,843km for 670.5 days Gotta run mateys 
Am averaging 63km now and ahead of schedule for nice easy short run into Alice Springs on 20th
April 10th, 2013 at 6:14 am
How exciting, can’t wait to hear you have made it to Alice Spring