UK man sprints into history with fastest Australia crossing on foot

Express Tribune

20-05-2025

British ultra-endurance athlete William Goodge claims to have set a new world record by running across Australia in just 35 days, beating the previous record by four days.
The 31-year-old began his 3,800km (2,361-mile) journey on April 15 from Cottesloe Beach in Perth and crossed the finish line at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Monday, emotionally draped in an Australian flag and joined by his father.
Goodge, originally from Bedfordshire, England, ran the equivalent of about 100 kilometers—or two-and-a-half marathons—every single day. His motivation came from a deeply personal place: honoring his late mother, Amanda, who passed away from cancer in 2018. His journey raised funds for cancer charities across the UK, US, and Australia.
While the record is pending verification by Guinness World Records, it appears to surpass the previous mark held by Chris Turnbull, who completed the run in 39 days in 2023. Australian Nedd Brockmann had completed a similar feat in 47 days the year prior, raising millions for charity.
Speaking to the BBC a day after the finish, Goodge said, 'It's the toughest thing I've ever done.' Throughout the run, he faced brutal conditions: a dust storm, extreme fatigue, and painful injuries that included rotting feet, lost toenails, and bone pain so severe it caused hallucinations.
He also recalled the mental battle through the Nullabor Plain, a vast, harsh desert stretch in Australia's interior. Despite all odds, Goodge said he felt "very comfortable" once the run concluded.
At the finish line, Goodge placed flowers at Bondi Beach in memory of his mother. 'She was the most special person in my life,' he told Guardian Australia. 'She would be proud of everything I've done—she'd also be concerned.'
He told the Sydney Morning Herald that remembering his mother's strength during her illness helped him push through the pain. 'In the moments where it's tough, I think about the woman she was, and how she handled herself, and how she supported me.'
Along his journey, Goodge saw much of Australia's iconic wildlife and landscapes—though he noted, most of the animals were sadly roadkill.
Despite some online scrutiny over the accuracy of his run's tracking data, Goodge and his team insist all steps were accounted for. 'He is taking every single step,' his agent told Canadian Running magazine.
Goodge previously claimed the title of fastest British man to run across the US, completing the route from Los Angeles to New York in 55 days.