NEW YORK -- Simon Wheatcroft (@andadapt on Twitter) is an ultra runner who doesn't let the challenges posed by his blindness keep him from his passion. Follow the progress of Simon and his team as they arrive in New York City for the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon, and see how airbnb is helping them get here!
Day 18: Monday, November 3
Sightseeing in NYC
FAO Schwartz
Empire State Building
5pm: Recording of Simon's Story at StoryCorps
-*-
Day 17: Sunday, November 2 (Marathon Day)
5am Videographer come early morning to film Simon morning of race day and getting to the start line.
Marathon start @ 9:45am
Tweet from Simon: "If you would like to follow me in the marathon my number is 18877. #GotheExtraMile
-*-
Day 16: Saturday, November 1
10am: "Shake Out" 5k Run along Hudson River hosted by Airbnb host Michael Naess
Simon haircut
Sports Massage
Simon & Neil Bacon
-*-
Day 15: Friday, October 31 (Happy Halloween!)
Depart New Rochelle and arrive in NYC Central Park: map
Running buddies:
-Madelyn Garcia (Last 8 miles):
-Abe (beginning miles from New Rochelle)
1pm: Finish line event in Central Park. Grayson to finish the final mile.
Simon's Airbnb listing: 2 Rooms in Artist's Apt at Bedford!
Address: 78 S 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Guests: Simon + 1 crew
Airbnb Host: Jsun Laliberte
Reservation length: 5 nights (check in Oct. 31-check out Nov. 5)
Crew Listing: 1BR in Prime Williamsburg - Bedford
Host: Zachary
Address: 160 North 4th Street Apt 2, Brooklyn, NY
Guests: 2 Simon's crew
Reservations length: Oct. 31st-Nov. 4
Day 14: Thursday, October 30
9-10am: Simon Interview with WABC
Depart Norwalk, CT and run to New Rochelle, NY: map
Running Buddies?
-Abe. Will join in Port Chester.
-Jeff
7pm: Massage in Stamford
Two 1-hour appointments
Becca & Ali sleep at Becca's friend's home in Rowayton, CT
Length: October 29th-31st
Video Crew checks into their Brooklyn listing
Guests: David Elliot, Allison Gay
Reservations length: (Oct. 30th-check out Nov. 4)
Simon's family arrives in NYC!
Wheatcroft Family Airbnb listing: Beautiful/Spacious 1 Bedroom in LES
Address: 167 Eldridge Street Apt. 4A, New York, NY
Airbnb host: Daniel
Guests: Sian, Grayson
Reservation length: 5 nights (check in Oct. 30-check out Nov. 4)
-*-
-*-
Day 13: Wednesday, October 29
Depart New Haven and run to Norwalk, CT: map
Running buddies?
- Ania. Meet @ 7:30am in Bob's Discount Furniture parking lot
- Marlon Dale
- Nancy Sweeny
- Yu (lives in New Haven)
- Andrea & Josh from Team with a Vision
Carbo Load dinner in Manhattan at Eataly (200 5th Ave NYC)
Simon Airbnb listing: 2 bedrooms, a sitting area + bath
Address: 88 Verplank Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902
Airbnb Host: Evelyn
-*-
Day 12: Tuesday, October 28
Depart Durham and Run to New Haven: map
From Simon on Twitter: "We are off and running. Bring it on. Quick stop near bishop woods bird sanctuary outside New Haven, Connecticut.
Running buddies?
- Vickie
- Yu
1:40-4pm: Simon phone interview with Insight
About Insight Radio: Insight Radio is based in Glasgow, U.K., and its mission is to broadcast news, information and advice to blind and partially-sighted people. The station has about 133,000 weekly listeners and is primarily funded by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Allan himself is visually impaired and covers the station's Afternoon Edition, which broadcasts stories that inspire people to gain new skills, get a job or pick up a new hobby.
Simon Airbnb listing: Cozy and convenient studio
Address: New Haven
Airbnb Host: Jesse & Annick
Host Bio: Fellow runner also running NYC Marathon this year, avid Airbnb traveler. Avid traveler who efforts to feel and experience each new place I stumble across as a local would. An ideal travel day for me would be coffee and a cross-word (or Ken-Ken) at a neighborhood coffee joint, spending the day outside...either roaming aimlessly through the city streets or finding a nearby nature-area for a hike...finding a good hole-in-the-wall for dinner and topping the night off at a dive bar with some good live local music. I more frequently travel solo...but certainly don't pass up good times with good people when they present themselves.
-*-
Day 11: Monday, October 27
Big thanks to @RunKeeper user Ania for running 10 miles with the guys. #bostontonyc
- Depart Hebron and run to Durham, CT: map
Running buddies?
Ania Meet @ 7:30am @ Staff Mates parking lot
Vickie Meet @ 7:30am @ Staff Mates parking lot
2:30pm: Meet East Haddam middle school students and track team
Simon Airbnb listing: Cottage on the Hill
Address: East Haddam, CT
Airbnb Host: Sue Costomiris
Why she wants to host?: I think it's wonderful he is making this run and I'm happy to help if I can. I have a great yard filled with many birds and I think he would like hearing all that's around us. Personal bio: an old nature loving hippy who is into gardening and travel
Guests: Simon, the Neils, and Richard
-*-
Day 10: Sunday, October 26
- 6:45am: Watch sunrise and breakfast with Douglas and wife!
- 7:30am: Depart Hampton and run to Hebron, CT: map-
- Interest runners: Sondra Sanford to join for final 5 miles in Columbia
Simon Airbnb listing: Country Estate with 6 Acres on Pond
Address: 79 Mashamoquet Road, Pomfret, CT
Airbnb Host: Geraldine & Randy (home phone: 860-963-1245/Randy's cell 860-420-6988) MEDIA OKAY!
They used to be in TV, Randy is open to some media bites!
- Sports Massage
- Simon & Neil Bacon
- Cook dinner together at the Airbnb listing!
-*-
-*-
Day 9: Saturday, October 25
- Depart Douglas and run to Hampton, CT: map
- Icebath
Simon Airbnb listing: A Room with a View
Address: 920 Storrs Rd, Mansfield, CT 06268
Airbnb Host: Douglas & Annie
Host gift ideas: $50 Airbnb travel credit, wine
Host Bio: Blind dog Hawk
Guests: Simon + 3 crew (3 beds + air mattress or couch)
- 3-5pm: Shop at Local Farmers Market
- Cook dinner at listing! Douglas said they also have fresh veggies from their very own farm you could use!
-*-
Day 8: Friday, October 24th:
- Breakfast with Host Philomena
- Depart Hopkinton Boston Marathon Startline and run to Pascoag, RI: route map
From Simon, via Twitter @andadapt: I'm now around 30 miles in to my 220 mile run. Next section requires some navigation...so I need to #gotheextramile on the bike. Local high school kids meeting me on my #bostontonyc... http://instagram.com/p/uiklF5BrzN/#
Interested runners
- Amy: Start in Upton. Students want to cheer us on when we run by (Blackstone valley tech in Upton)
- Hopkinton Running Club.
- 11:30am: Meet Douglas High School cross country team @ "Classic Envelope" store: 120 Gilboa St, Douglas, MA and run to Douglas High School together.
- 12noon: Arrive at Douglas High School--students will welcome him, local paper will interview.
Simon's Airbnb host listing for this day: Secluded 1750's home on 46 acres
Address: 120 Welk's Lane, Glocester, RI 02814
Airbnb Host: Paula & Pete
Host Bio: We enjoy people,conversation, growing and cooking good food, bicycling, kayaking, x-country skiing, dogs and cats. We love the area we live in and are happy to share our favorite spots with visitors. The music scene,good cycling, hiking, ethnic food, art museums and the ocean are what keeps us living here.
Guests: Simon + 2 crew (2 beds + air mattress)