British ultra-endurance athlete William Goodge, 31, has reportedly shattered the world record for running across the width of Australia, completing the monumental 3,800-kilometre (2,361-mile) journey in a gruelling 35 days.
Goodge crossed the finish line at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Monday afternoon, greeted by his father, after starting his trek from Cottesloe Beach in Perth on April 15th.
According to his team, Goodge remarkably covered an average of 100 kilometres — the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons — every single day.
Originally from Bedfordshire, England, Goodge embarked on his ultra-running career following the passing of his mother, Amanda, from cancer in 2018. This trans-Australian feat was undertaken to raise funds for cancer charities in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, a cause deeply personal to the athlete, the BBC reported.
While Goodge’s achievement is being celebrated by his team and supporters, the record is yet to be officially verified by Guinness World Records.
The current certified record for running across Australia belongs to Chris Turnbull, who completed the same route in 39 days in 2023. Before that, Australian electrician Nedd Brockmann ran the distance in 47 days in 2022, raising millions for charity.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast approximately 24 hours after his remarkable finish, Goodge described the experience as “the toughest thing I’ve ever done.”
His arduous journey saw him battle through a dust storm, endure the loss of multiple toenails, and grapple with debilitating injuries, including rotting feet and severe bone pain that occasionally led to hallucinations.
“It was full-on from start to finish,” said Goodge, highlighting the particular difficulty of the initial nine days. He also described the Nullabor Plain, the vast desert stretching from Western Australia to South Australia, as “unforgiving.”
Despite the immense physical toll, Goodge surprisingly stated he was “feeling very comfortable” in the immediate aftermath of the run.
In a poignant moment after reaching Bondi Beach, Goodge placed a bouquet on the shoreline in remembrance of his late mother.
“She was the most special person in my life,” he shared with Guardian Australia, adding, “she would be proud of everything I’ve done – she’d also be concerned.”
Goodge revealed that reflecting on his mother’s battle with cancer provided crucial motivation throughout his demanding journey, helping him to persevere through his own suffering.
“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,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I feel like she’s there with me a lot of the time.”
During his transcontinental run, Goodge recounted encountering much of Australia’s unique wildlife, though sadly, he noted that most were deceased on the roadside. He also experienced the diverse landscapes of the Australian outback.
However, Goodge’s achievement has not been without some scrutiny. Certain members of the running community have raised questions regarding the accuracy of the data tracking his speed and heart rate throughout the 35-day endeavour.
In response to these concerns, Goodge’s agent told Canadian Running magazine last week, “Goodge stands by his record keeping and asserts that he is taking every single step.”
Adding to his impressive athletic resume, Goodge also claims to hold the record for the fastest British man to run across the US having completed the journey from Los Angeles to New York in 55 days.
