"Caution, plumber running ahead", announced the sign on the back of Wanaka man Jup Brown's support vehicle as it followed him on his Running New Zealand challenge over the Crown Range yesterday.
But as dozens of passing motorists tooted and waved to applaud Mr Brown's efforts on the climb to the summit, few would have realised the huge challenge lying ahead of him.
Mr Brown, an Australian and Japan-based plumber, translator and ski and snowboard course builder, set off from Stewart Island last Thursday to run the length of New Zealand, to raise awareness and money for the Stroke Foundation.
When the Otago Daily Times caught up with Mr Brown on the Crown Range yesterday - one of the toughest legs of the journey - he said his challenge was "going awesome".
"We've had heaps of support. People are stopping and tooting. I try and wave at every car."
He had been "very lucky" with the weather, and every day, people had accompanied him for parts of his run.
Aside from "one little niggle" in his ankle several days ago, Mr Brown's body was bearing up well. A good thing, too, considering he is just six days and about 280km into the run, which will ultimately cover 2600km over 10 weeks, travelling an average of 50km per day, six days a week.
Yesterday, he covered about 63km from Frankton to his home town, Wanaka, where he was met by a fire engine and welcoming party.
Today is a rest day, before he heads to Cromwell tomorrow.
Cromwell businessman Glen Christiansen is drumming up support for a large group of local people to meet Mr Brown at the Lowburn car park at about 4pm and run or bike along the shore of Lake Dunstan with him, before a welcome reception at the Golden Gate Lodge.
Inspiration for the running challenge came from Mr Brown's friend, Nick Chisholm, from Dunedin, who experienced a stroke in his 20s which left him with locked-in syndrome. Mr Chisholm joined the campaign in his wheelchair for a short period on Monday.
The challenge became even more personal when Mr Brown's father Ron, of Wanaka, experienced a stroke in June this year, eight months into planning for the charity run.
