An ultra-marathon runner from Devon, who goes by the name of Kevin Carr, has completed 16,592 kilometres of his 26,232-kilometre World Record attempt to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on foot.
Kevin is running completely unsupported; in other words he is pushing a trailer with everything he needs the whole way. He averages 50-65 kilometres per day and has even managed to achieve 85 kilometres from sunrise to sunset.
If successful Kevin will gain multiple world records: the fastest person to run around the world, the youngest person to run round the world and the first to run it completely unsupported.
He said: “I’m delighted to have exceeded the halfway mark but there’s still a long way to go.”
This epic journey is only at its halfway point and explaining where he’s already been is an exhausting task. The run started on the July 28 last year from Dartmoor in Devon and has so far taken Kevin through most of Europe; the list includes France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.
He then ran across India – from the west coast to the east – before running the entire width of Australia, Perth to Sydney, including an 1100 kilometre crossing of the infamous and brutally unforgiving Nullarbor Desert.
From Australia, Kevin continued the run in New Zealand, where he ran through both the south and north islands. The next stop was Canada, where Kevin officially hit the halfway point of his run – a staggering 13,116 kilometres.
Kevin is currently in Peace River, Alberta Canada and will head to Winnipeg before he runs down through the USA to Miami and then on to South America before returning back to the United Kingdom for the last leg of this barbaric challenge.
Kevin, who ran his first ultra-marathon only seven years ago, said: “Only two other people have managed to circumnavigate the globe on foot however I’m the first to attempt the whole mission unsupported.”
The adventure hasn’t been without its problems though as Carr can clarify.
“I have encountered some pretty scary things so far. They range from packs of wild dogs in Romania, the most extreme weather conditions imaginable and coming face to face with bears in Canada, one of which actually stalked/hunted me before actively coming for me. I used the bear bangers that someone had given me and after 3 misfires, thankfully my fourth attempt sent the bear packing.
“I’ve had to endure a lot of suffering too. I had severe heatstroke in India and twice been hit by cars; the second time in Perth, Australia, I was flung high into the air with my trailer landing back down on top of me.’’
Of all these obscene challenges Kevin had to overcome, running across the Nullarbor desert was the toughest.
“This desert is famed for its lack of trees, hence no shade and water,” he explained. “This was a real test for me. Running without a support crew, I had to ensure I had enough food and water with me to survive up to four days at a time as there was literally nothing except the desert beneath my feet.”
Kevin, who is sponsored by private investment company Cocoon Wealth, is completing this incredible endurance run for two charities – British Red Cross and Sane.
“Kevin’s achievement to date is remarkable. His drive and determination are inspirational” said Tim Levy, Managing Partner of Cocoon Wealth.
