Click here to go to race index page

Don Winkley experiencing problems in Australia

2 September 1998

"Don is still running," Riley said Tuesday by phone from a small town south of this tiny community (population 3) on the Indian Pacific Railway. "But he's not doing too well. He's had some nagging injuries. He's in a down cycle after Surgeres, where he set so many records, I think. There's not a lot of support out here."

Although undecided about continuing, Winkley remains in the race for the moment. After 26 days on the road the two athletes had covered 1472.1 kilometres. Riley's elapsed time was 234 hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds (143:14:18) to 244:04:31 for Winkley.

"We went seven days without seeing another vehicle," Riley said. "The people we do see are very friendly. All the train drivers honk. There are four passenger trains a week, and that's a special thill." Should Winkley drop out, he will be able to catch a train or find a phone to arrange for transportation, Riley added.

Riley and his brother John, driving a support vehicle, made a side trip for supplies on Monday night, staying over at a local motel. "Don stayed behind to rest," Riley said. "We're stocking up today." Among their purchases were bread and field cartons of milk plus "a whole case" of Snickers bars.

Back to CoolRunning Trans-Australia Footrace HomePage