Under Police Escort In Myanmar!
Hi Folks. Not sure why spot has not updated last few days I am in Yamethin, Mandalay province under police escort, I understand there was a govt request for their services. Great news as they are carrying my pack all the way to India border post! Its a pity there is so much passport control. I am running at night now and sleeping as best as possible in the days, Even while trying to sleep there are usually 2 knocks on the door firstly from the police and then the local immigration officer, also many on the road, Its tedious but taking into account previous no travel, I will take these restrictions 
My route for rest of Myanmar press HERE Point A being my present whereabouts and F my entry to India. This border post is not an official crossing for foreigners but we will see about that!!
This started about 4 or 5 nights ago when I was running in the dark and noticed a couple guys on a small motorbike passing me, stop, wait for me to pass. When I got to a busy area I approached them asking them if they were police oficers. They said yes and would have to go back to the station for their police id!
I examined one which was in Myanmar, numbers too and then quoted the Myanmar motto.
” How May We Help! ”
They smiled and said yes, So I gave them my pack and said,
” Hold this I gotta run!”
That day was very hot, a long internet stop and with their help ran 55km.
The man with the camera ran for Burma in the Barcelona Olympics, A 2.20 marathon for about 70th place.
Next day after they found guest House for me I was feeling the heat and stopped to rest for about 5 hours in a restaurant. That was my change over from day to night, so a short morning of 25km followed by a long nights record run of 82km/50.7 miles. It was really over 100 in a 24 hour period. Then yesterday Tuesday 55km and I felt the previous days effort in my legs!
Many thanks to the dozens of police officers involved, they change so often I just cant remember any names. I am told that these guys in civvies are the Myanmar ‘ Special Police ‘
Total 38,008 in 869 road days.
Sorry about poor quality pictures, camera trouble! Gotta run!
Buddhist Monks
November 20th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Hi Tony
Bravo! I still occasionally visit your blog and has great pleasure reading you, it is wonderful to see all these people from around the world ready to help and share, that certainly makes up for the less joyful times you sometimes go through.
My husband recently decided he will cycle the world with a friend when he retires (in 4 years), what a great idea…
Both of them have also decided to run the next Dublin marathon and we’ll go to encourage them! Before that, don’t forget to give me details about your route in France!
We visited your blog with my students, they were impressed, but it was late in june and we didn’t have time to send you messages, later maybe… Bonne chance et bon moral. A +
Marie France
November 20th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
wow tony, 100k in 24 hrs. i know it was a special day/night session but that is great going. well done. nice to have somebody to carry your bag for a little while!!!! keep it going. kevin
November 20th, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Congratulations on running over 38,000 kms, over 100kms in 24 hours is an awful lot, good photos, take care Ann
November 21st, 2013 at 12:31 pm
Wah,good to have Myanmar police escort.Even now,myanmar will have seagame during 11-22 December.My junior face accomodation booking problem,online hotels all full..haha..will see how.Keep it up your spirit !
November 21st, 2013 at 2:20 pm
hi again. just got quick chance to update on leiutenant kyaw’s phone. had great day running 72km non stop due their great help and support. there were a lot of villagers lining the road clapping and cheering me on.Kinda like tour de France stuff! The Tourist Police kindly put me up in a nice hotel and we just finished a very nice dinner. there were about 12 police involved today. so a huge thanks to all involved. I am looking for another big day tomorrow but am sure I will be a bit tired after todays big effort. Forgot to say i was taken off running nights due to security so had a rest day of sorts yesterday. it worked out well today a bit hot and humid but managable. Thanks again to all involved. Not sure if Spot updated today as cant upload map on this mobile. About 600km to India ifmy calculcations are right. Finished about 7km past Meiktila township todayi
November 21st, 2013 at 8:13 pm
Well done Tony on completing nearly 38,100 kms. You look very well in photos, glad to see you are getting a lot of help, enjoy it while it lasts. Take care and mind yourself Mam
November 22nd, 2013 at 10:31 am
Good Man Tony, This performance is stunning !! You deserve all the credit for this phenomenal effort – literally, such distances in the heat is just so remarkable. Super performance and the thoughts of India on the horizon….. Well done, well done.
November 22nd, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Hi All A lot to tell, lets just say not all plain sailing and I want to bid a slan as we say at home as fast as possible, cant say anymore. However I am privileged to be having this amazing adventure here despite the frustration. Those who know me well enough to know my favorite song, say no more, well I have been playing it every day and singing it loudly in my head. God bless Ireland , God bless all countries of the world and all decent people, I have a bit of a heavy heart for obvious reasons.
61km today, about 6 officer with me and my own personal shadow and new friend lieutenant Kyaw No Its not the govt that are helping me, that info was wrong, figured that much.
November 23rd, 2013 at 4:21 pm
tony, i hope all is ok. keep playing the music and keep living the dream. you are doing great. kevin
November 23rd, 2013 at 10:03 pm
Only 51km Saturday as I had a late start, stomach cramps and a very hot day. The police are insisting I stay in ‘ tourist registered ‘ hotels which are very expensive and often an hour or two away on the back of a cold motorcycle and then back to my finish in the morning. They wont let me run at night or camp at my finish or stay at a Buddhist monastery.They hold onto my passport till I get to the next regional police department and pass it on to another officer to hold till he is finished with me. Thats what I meant about not the govt helping, Am very fatigued here. Thats what I tried to disguise in my last message as I got to be careful what I say in this country but now I dont care.
Got an email from a concerned friend. No need for any concern, just getting lots of hassle. Many thanks to the police officers that helped me and are at the receiving end of having to administer this crap. Cant get out fast enough, wonderful people though. 38,192km for 872 days
November 25th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Just continue to be careful Tony and stay safe Ann
November 27th, 2013 at 10:07 pm
tony, the spot looks like you are only a couple of days from the border. well done getting to the fa side of the country and hopefully things will improve. good luck. kevin
November 30th, 2013 at 7:36 am
Try hard! You are a strong man. Take care of your health!
December 1st, 2013 at 7:42 am
tony, it looks like you are very near to the left turn into India!!!! another month of savage running behind you and closer to home. you are doing great. well done. kevin
December 1st, 2013 at 2:06 pm
Hi All. Yes Myanmar has been run. 1,550km run in last month. Unfortunately I have not been allowed across the border yet. I am told I need an Indian permit for the border area on their side, so just to clarify the Myanmar immigration have given their ok and are optimistic I can can overcome this hurdle. Its on the India side, I was aware of a permit but my research said groups of 4 travelers and permit had to be obtained in Calcutta, so I just had to continue on anyway as I did. The irony is that negotiations are starting tomorrow on opening this border to foreigners as is the case on the Thailand side already. I estimate at least 4/5 days down as I have to take a bus back to Mandalay to the Indian embassy there. Very wearisome, My opinions have changed dramatically since last comments and despite this setback I now consider Myanmar along with the USA as my 2 favorite countries on the run. I got a lot of amazing help, even with the hassle. I got so much work to do and can do without this break but c’est la vie! Just to clarify I expect to cross in a few day. I owe a great debt of gratitude to the Myanmar police service. An officer let it slip that the Myanmar Home Affairs Minister was behind my escort. I was allowed to do very little, even stir my own coffee, it seems all they would allow me to do was run! It was not always that easy as there were some big problems along the way which were overcome.
Happy birthday to my sister Ann! I remember taking that surprise flight back to Dublin for your 50th two years ago. The pastors house I stayed in at that time prior to the flight, Stephen Littleton, had a phrase which he used a lot and I sometimes remind myself of it, especially now.. ” Don’t let it beat you up Tony! ” Love to Mam and the family also and thanks to all followers of the blog. Now I need to sleep before the 12 hour bus ride back over the roads I have just run on Monday, visit the Indian embassy on Tuesday. I will not be taking that flight as mentioned before.
December 1st, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Thanks Tony, glad to see you are at the border of India, sorry to hear you have so much hassle with permit and have to take 12 hour bus ride back. Take care Ann
December 3rd, 2013 at 5:22 am
Tony—ya made it man!!—woohoo—I have been following and wondering if you would make the border by your deadline–or even make the border with what seemed like a lot of hassles—In fact the police have turned out to be a great help and allowed you to really bump up the pace!!—-I’m telling you, you have more fortitude then anyone that I know!!—-and am very happy that this part of the journey is over. I hope as we have talked earlier that they decide to let you through the border–saves a lot of running around, back tracking, plane flights etc etc—that is really good news!!!—India may prove to be a bit of a hassle as well with lots of gawkers but at least you will be on your own again and without constant surveillance —–OK man–let me know what I can do to help with any logistics—It is Dec. 2nd here so I imagine that you are bumping along on that bus ride headed for Mandalay—-best of luck and GOOD RUNNING!!!–Greg
December 3rd, 2013 at 1:45 pm
hello tony….
congrats on reaching india
we continue to follow your progress!!!!
stewart and bernie cochrane
newfoundland
canada
December 4th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Hi mam U prob cant reply 2 this. I fly to India tomorrow and return to route asap Pls ask Ann to post this
December 5th, 2013 at 8:42 am
well done tony, i hope india is straight forward……….if that is possible………looking forward to getting on the road again. kevin