Lincoln long-distance runner Pete Kostelnick is attempting to run across the United States, from San Francisco to New York City, in about 44 days to set a Guinness World Record.
DAY 20 UPDATE: Kostelnick was in Colorado, and less than 75 miles from reaching Nebraska on Saturday afternoon. He’ll enter the state on Nebraska 23 near Grant in southwest Nebraska, and it’s expected to take him 5½ days to cross the state. Through 18 days his total was 1,235 miles. You can track his progress on his website (www.petesfeetaa.com). He could be in the Lincoln area by Thursday.
FEEDING PETE: Last week Kostelnick’s support crew spoke and answered questions at a running store in Fort Collins, Colorado, and video of the event was posted on his Facebook page. Cinder Wolff, who is on Kostelnick’s support crew as chef and massage therapist, said Kostelnick needs to eat at least 7,000 calories per day, and even more when running through the mountains. He gets snacks and drinks from the crew every one to three miles. Kostelnick and the crew eat beef each day, and when they reach a new state, they eat steak as a reward. Wolff said Kostelnick is still averaging about 70 miles per day. He’s remained healthy, with previous minor issues being one blister caused by a rock in his shoe, and tendinitis. The tendinitis was resolved by the second week.
People are also reading…
PETE SPEAKS: In a video interview posted on his Facebook page, Kostelnick was shown as he passed from Utah into Colorado early last week.
“(Utah) was good,†he said. “There was a lot of variations. Snowstorms, desert, mountains. It was tough, but got through it.â€
He left by saying, “See you in Nebraska.â€
RUN WITH PETE: Runners may be able to join Kostelnick as he goes through Nebraska. Those interested may contact Ann Ringlein at the Lincoln Running Company (402-474-4557). His path will take him near Lexington, Kearney, Grand Island, York and Lincoln. Ringlein is also encouraging high school cross country teams to come support Kostelnick if he’s running near their city. Later this week, the Lincoln Running Company will host an event in the evening where the support crew will talk about his progress and answer questions. Kostelnick may not attend because he begins running each day at about 3:30 a.m. The day the event will be held will be announced once Kostelnick gets closer to Lincoln.
— Brent C. Wagner