Finish US run begun in 2017

The 58 year-old, who works as a professor of marketing at Victoria University of Wellington, always intended to continue the run despite the long recovery process. ‘‘It has certainly been a challenge, sometimes I would take three or four steps forward and then five or six backwards. I have been through 16 surgeries.’’

The accident changed his gait, but he has defied predictions that he would never run again. His return to running was testament to the skill of his surgeons and the ability of the human body to recover, he said.

Ashill returned to America on May 27 and plans to restart his run on the exact spot he was hit.

Members of the Columbus Running Club and three of the doctors who saved his life will run with him to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

He is ‘‘very excited’’ about meeting those who did so much to help him. ‘‘I’m sure this will be an emotional day.’’

He said he had ‘‘no idea’’ how he would feel until actually standing at the scene.

He plans to complete the 922km over a period of 18 days before finishing in New York.

Progress can be followed on his blog.