Hi there,

Last night some BC ultrarunners got together in my living room to meet a
fellow from Denmark who is hoping to become the first person to run around
the world. None of us knew Jesper (yes-per) and we really didn't know what
to expect. Wow! What a guy. What a story.

Jesper started running from Greenwich, near London, in England in January
2004. Since then, he's run across Europe, Scandinavia, Russia (including
Siberia), Japan, Australia and the United States averaging about 50Km each
day. It's all documented, so he's the real deal. http://www.worldrun.org/

Jesper arrived in Canada on Friday, ran in the Vancouver Sun Run today, is
taking one of 14 rest days during his 2 year run tomorrow, and he'll then
run across Canada. His aim is to take the most direct route across our
country, cut across to New York City to meet a sponsor, fly to Ireland, run
across it, then run back to Greenwich and fly back to Copenhagen in time to
spend Christmas with his family.

Photos of Jesper's chat and the Vancouver welcoming party at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37954136@N00/sets/240084/

One of the most touching things Jesper mentioned was that he felt he'd
received more help in his 2 days in Canada than he had in his 2 months of
running through the United States. That was sad, because we all know that
our neighbors to the south are very hospitable. We figured that the right
folks in California, Oregon and Washington just didn't know he was coming.
In any case, we agreed that it would be a terrible shame if Jesper were to
have lunch bag letdown as it applies to Canada. Before Jesper left, we
committed to help rally our running friends across Canada to prove to him
that all Canadians are as nice as those he met in Vancouver.

Kevin Thomson, who ran unsupported across Canada a few years ago, is now
working with Jesper to come up with the most direct itinerary. Jesper's
friend Peter Riepveld from Holland will accompany him to Calgary and Karl
Jensen of Vancouver will be crewing for them both for a few days. It looks
like the first leg will take Jesper from Abbotsford to Hope, then the
Coquihalla highway to Kamloops where he will stay with Wayne and Lindsay
Richardson before heading off to Calgary.

Jesper is used to running alone, sleeping in ditches and eating cold canned
noodles. He confided in us that he appreciates human company, a home-cooked
meal and a warm bed.

If you live anywhere between Abbotsford and Kamloops, BC and would like to
run a few kilometers with Jesper, offer up a warm meal or provide a place to
bunk for the night, please contact me at northshore@....

As soon as I know Jesper's route and how you might help, I'll share it with
this list.

Best regards,

Ean Jackson
North Vancouver, BC

For:
Ron Adams, Sibylle Tinsel, Karl Jensen, Kevin Thomson, Jim Mandelli,
Sue Nicholson, John Little, Sarah Galazin, Craig Moore, Ethelyn David, Vida
Morkunas, Carlos Castillos, Wendy Montgomery, Brian Bjornson, Glenn and
Manon Pace,
Patricia and David Jensen, Lorraine Soumi, Beverly, Ken and Janet Greenaway,