By Juliet Speedy
An Australian man is attempting a new Guinness World Record by running around the world.
Hoping to set the record for fastest circumnavigation of the earth on foot, Tom Dennis started running two weeks ago in Sydney and expects to take nearly two years to complete the challenge.
Today he ran through Christchurch.
“It’s a real challenge, but hopefully one I’m up to,” says Dennis, who plans to run every day possible until he finishes, unless logistics such as a long haul flight prevent him.
Tom's route started in Sydney and he will run in an easterly direction across every continent in the world barring Antartica, crossing all terrains including deserts and mountains before landing back in Sydney.
The adventurer admits it will not be easy and says he has had doubts he can complete the journey.
Today marks day 15 of the run which will cover over 290,000 kilometres – the equivalent of 700 marathons in 700 days.
Training has not been easy because simulating such a long run, averaging 50 kilometres a day, is impossible but Dennis feels he is on top of the physical preparation now.
“It’ll be mental, just day after day, I mean this is a beautiful day today but there’ll be days when I wake up and it’s pouring with rain and freezing cold and I’m tired and I just don’t want to go out there,” says Dennis.
The Sydneysider says it was adventure that first inspired this mission but also a good opportunity to raise money for the charity Oxfam.
Dennis insists that there will be time to enjoy the world as well as run through it.
“Going out for dinner and enjoying a few good red wines and that sort of thing is all part of the plan,” he insists.
Something, no doubt, that will please his support crew of two, one of which is his wife.
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