With a small support crew in tow, he then flew to Queenstown, where he hit the road again on Monday, starting his run near the Kawarau Bridge bungy to pound the highway through the Kawarau and Cromwell Gorges to Clyde.
Those two days of hard running were the start of his goal to run around the world, travelling most of the spine of New Zealand to Auckland, then through the United States of America, South America, Europe and Asia, before a return to Australia scheduled for October next year.
He planned to be back home in Brisbane in January 2024, no doubt footsore and having worn through many a pair of running shoes.
The 39-year-old was up at dawn near Clyde yesterday to hit the road again, heading out from Springvale Rd, Alexandra, bound for Ranfurly.
A typically active Australian child when growing up in Brisbane, Franklin’s health deteriorated in his adolescence and health issues weighed down his fitness, in turn weighing him down physically.
At his worst, he weighed in at 120kg and lived a not atypical corporate lifestyle of long hours, poor food choices, alcohol consumption and partying.
He realised the fast track he was on was likely to lead to an early grave and he decided to choose another road.
He hoped to inspire others through this global run to move more in an era where people work long hours and spend most of them sitting, and to raise money for three charity partners while doing so.
"We are becoming more sedentary as a race, especially after Covid," he said.
"The benefits of exercise are everything. I want to help build a community of people being active and happier and healthier as a result."
Speaking from Ranfurly yesterday afternoon, Franklin said he had learned from his first two days of hard running.
The first day was hot and he probably pushed the pace a little," he said.
"I slowed down a little today and drank more water and ate a little more."
- Follow Franklin on social media and at timrunstheworld.com, or watch out for him on a road near you.
