Day 99 - August 19th: Gateway to Asia

Tepicek to Bosporus Strait / Gateway to Asia: 29.5 miles / 2,859 total

I woke at 4:40, restless and ready to leave behind the “one night hotel”—no Wi-Fi, no signal, smoke-filled rooms, and no charm. I skipped the breakfast and headed straight for Istanbul.

One of the highlights of this whole journey has been immersion in history, and no place looms larger than Istanbul. Founded as Byzantium, reborn as Constantinople, and later the Ottoman capital, it has always been the prize at the gateway of Europe and Asia. Whoever held the Bosporus controlled the Silk Road and the seas, making it one of the most coveted cities in history. Today, it’s still that bridge between continents—and it’s where my run would end.

I grabbed a Turkish coffee and pastries before I put the hammer down on the early morning miles.

By 20k I was finally left behind the dreaded E83, and followed shaded coastal roads past upscale neighborhoods.

The sight of a Starbucks reminded me I was firmly back in a metropolis.

My waypoint was Hagia Sophia. With 6 km left, I reached the ancient walls that once held off armies for centuries, passed through their gates, and into the chaos of narrow streets and traffic. I pushed harder, wanting to be done.

At the plaza, domes and minarets surrounded me. Then—my family. Monica released Jax, who hit me like a rocket, knocking me to the grass. Monica hugged me tight. Christina high-fived me.

Together we walked through Gulhane Park.

The Bosporus spread open ahead. On the far shore was Asia. After 2,859 miles across an entire continent, I had arrived.

It is finished.

Time now to take my first step back to civilian life.

Final reflections tomorrow.

Thank you—for following, for cheering, for being part of this journey.

Cheers,

David.