In a remarkable display of stamina and determination, British ultra-endurance athlete William Goodge has shattered the world record for running across the width of Australia.
The 31-year-old completed the grueling 3,800-kilometre (2,361 miles) journey in just 35 days, besting the previous record by four days.
Goodge’s epic run began on 15 April from Cottesloe Beach in Perth and culminated on Monday afternoon at the iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney, where he was joined by his father to celebrate the achievement.
Covering an average of about 100 kilometres — the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons — every single day, Goodge’s feat stands as a testament to human endurance.
Originally from Bedfordshire, England, Goodge’s motivation for this extreme challenge was deeply personal. After losing his mother, Amanda, to cancer in 2018, he began running marathons as a way to cope with the loss.
This latest ultra-endurance journey was dedicated to raising funds for cancer charities across the UK, the United States, and Australia.
Goodge’s journey surpassed the previous record set just last year by Chris Turnbull, who completed the same route in 39 days. Before Turnbull, Australian electrician Nedd Brockmann held the record, finishing in 47 days while raising millions for charity.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Goodge described the experience to the Sydney Morning Herald as “like a revolving nightmare that wouldn’t end.”
He recalled that the initial nine days were particularly brutal, requiring him to constantly push past severe physical and mental limits.
“You have to tell your body and mind that even though you’re struggling, you’re going to persevere, and you’re going to get through it,” he said.
The physical toll was enormous. Throughout the run, Goodge lost toenails, battled foot infections that caused tissue damage, and endured hallucinations brought on by broken sleep and persistent bone pain.
Yet, he credits the memory of his mother’s courage in fighting cancer as his main source of strength. “In the moments where it’s tough, I’ll think back to those times, I think about the woman she was, and how she handled herself, and how she supported me,” Goodge told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I feel like she’s there with me a lot of the time.”
In a poignant tribute, moments after crossing the finish line at Bondi Beach, Goodge laid a bunch of flowers on the shoreline in memory of his late mother. “She was the most special person in my life,” he told The Guardian Australia, adding, “she would be proud of everything I’ve done — she’d also be concerned.”
During his journey, Goodge encountered much of Australia’s unique wildlife, though unfortunately, many animals were found deceased on the roadside. He also experienced the vast and varied Australian landscape firsthand — a harsh and demanding environment that tested his limits every day.
Goodge also publicly acknowledged Chris Turnbull for sharing vital advice and guidance on how to navigate the extreme challenge, demonstrating a camaraderie among ultra-endurance athletes who often push the boundaries of human capability.
Beyond Australia, Goodge holds the record for the fastest British man to run across the United States, completing the coast-to-coast run from Los Angeles to New York in 55 days.
William Goodge’s record-breaking run across Australia stands as an inspiring story of resilience, grief, and dedication — an extraordinary achievement that transcends sport and highlights the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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