Mike Brooks told Michael Smith at Camp Sunshine on Tuesday that it felt like he was running on pins and needles. Then he logged another 44 miles.

On Wednesday, Brooks passed the mark for day seven in his 10-day charity race in New York raising money for the Casco camp. The retired Auburn firefighter had run 378 miles and raised more than $8,000.

Smith, director of special events at Camp Sunshine, said the 63-year-old reported he hadn’t been sleeping well and the heat had been grueling. He was still confident, however, about meeting his early goals.

“We even had one gentleman donate online and leave a note that he would donate $500 for Mike’s 500th mile – there’s his incentive for him to finish the race,” Smith said.

In an audio clip from Brooks left on the camp’s Web site Wednesday, he said temperatures in the 90s had about cleared the one-mile track of runners.

“Everybody was walking. At one time, I don’t think there was anybody on the course except for one or two real elite athletes,” Brooks said.

“Seven days is a long time out here, I’ll tell you. I have another three days to go – I don’t think I’ll be doing this again anytime soon.”

Follow his progress at www.tendaysforsunshine.org.