This was to be our last day in Montana as we entered into our next state of North Dakota.

Today’s weather was the exact opposite of yesterday.

It was cool in the morning and thunderstorms in the afternoon. The area we ran through is remote and the towns are small, but wherever we stopped we met people.

For instance, we met Joe Galloti and Redmond Burke from NY. They saw us a running in the opposite direction they were travelling and still made the effort to come back to the van and take a few steps for harmony. This a great example of why we are out here!

In Plevna we met Larry Major from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho who was riding through on his motorcycle. He had seen us on TV and in the newspapers. He was very happy to hold the torch.

Straight after we met Dan Buerkle. As the men’s team were waiting for the women’s team to arrive with the RV, Dan asked if we needed any help thinking that we had broken down. We got chatting and he was glad to hold the torch. At the same time the women’s team appeared in the RV. Dan was pleased to meet the Russian runners as his son is currently residing in St Petersburg.

Our afternoon's running was done through a heavy rainstorm, across the state border from Montana and into North Dakota.

Out of the blur of grey surrounding us a sudden lift in the weather would present us with a glimpse of scenery - green fields with large rocky outcrops, and borders of bright yellow flowers at the roadside.

It was actually a welcome change to run in the rain after the last couple of day's heat, although it did get cool enough to need jackets in the latter part of the day - the first time in many weeks that we've needed to wear an extra layer for running.

We also had to negotiate a long section of roadworks where we were running on dirt road (or mud as it was today.)

The cloud formations were expansive and impressive above us.

The local sheriff stopped to check IF we were alright as he passed us on the road in the storm.

The Montana Motel in Baker, MT so kindly hosted the men's team tonight. The rooms were really spacious and the hospitality and cheerfulness were off the charts. Thank you so much!

Many thanks to the Sagebrush Inn, also in Baker, for accommodating our women's team. We actually ran past it only 2 miles into our section, and then had to run on for a further 32 miles in the rain before we could finish and drive back to dry off. Definitely one night when we were very grateful not to be camping!

– Mark, Atulya and Kokila

Distance: 98 miles

Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Jagadhata Amrhien (Chicago), Drsalu Gruenstaeudel (Austria), Vladimir Salnacov (Moldova), Mark Collinson (England), Kokila Chamberlain (England), Surya Smolennikova (Russia), Kshetragna Ulanova (Russia), Dima Grygorievski (Ukraine), Sukhada Korshunova (Russia), Michaela Pokorna (Czech Republic), Moni Neradilek (Seattle), Jwalanta Voelckner (Germany)

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