Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
week. He'll be celebrating his 35th wedding anniversary and trying to
raise money to fund the rest of the run, including the expensive Ant-
arctic sector. Greg has had some recent success raising money. The
South Pole logistics are complex. My guide, Eric Philips, and Greg are
trying to persuade me to take a six-wheel-drive support vehicle onto
the ice. The vehicle will cost me around $350,000 to hire for 20 days. I
haven't got anything like that kind of money. I told Greg that the idea
is ludicrous, even if it would make the trek easier for Eric and the cam-
eramen. I would prefer to have three motorised scooters for the crew,
while I run alongside. I can rent skidoos for $100,000. The major issue,
though, is getting to Tierra del Fuego in time to get to the Antarctic,
run to the pole and then rendezvous with the last regular flight back
to civilisation. If I miss that plane, I'll have to charter my own aircraft,
and how the hell will I pay for that? My goal is to be back in Australia
to celebrate Brooke's 17th birthday on January 24 and Australia Day on
January 26. We'll see. It's going to be tight.
sePtember 19
I had a huge thrill today when a video message was beamed through
to me from the steps of the Sydney Opera House from some men
I respect enormously. The Sydney Marathon was in full swing, and
sending me a big cheerio call were Aussie long-distance running
greats Pat Carroll, Lee Troop and Steve Moneghetti. Pat called me a
maniac—I'm not going to disagree with that!—then he told me that
he was in awe of what I was doing and that I was making my country-
men very proud.
Steve said, 'Hope you're holding up okay. It must be unbelievably
tough physically, but I know how mentally tough you are, and if any-
one can run pole to pole, it's you. Hang in there; we're all running with
you in spirit.'
Lee said, 'You've set the highest bar for us all in the past, and this
is just another step up, mate. Best of luck!'
Then the crowd of spectators all yelled their support as the video
ended. Their words and cheers had the same effect on me as if I'd been
fitted with superchargers.
