Will Goodge has just claimed the world record for running the width of Australia on an epic endurance adventure – but now he’s about to live life in the fast lane.
Goodge, who claims he broke the record even more decisively than he first thought by finishing on Monday in just over 34 days 9 hours, is flying out to Monaco to be a guest at the Formula One Grand Prix this Sunday.
The 31-year-old Brit says he ran the equivalent of two-and-a-half marathons – about 100km – every day on his 3,800km (2,361-mile) trek from Cottesloe Beach in Perth Bondi Beach in Sydney, but now it’s time for a change of pace.
“I needed a change of pace”
He told RUN247: “I’m actually very lucky to be going to Monaco to watch the F1, which is a bucket list thing for me. That opportunity came up a week into the run. So I knew I was under pressure to finish in time or I wouldn’t have been able to go.
“I think I’m going into the Red Bull garage, which would be incredible. The opportunity of a lifetime. Getting to do that is crazy. I’m going to another finish line but they’re going to get the job done a bit quicker, I reckon. I needed a change of pace!”
Goodge went to Australia to beat Chris Turnbull’s record run across the country in 2023, which took him 39 days.
Turnbull, who was actually waiting for him as he finished, had his time verified by the Guinness Book of Records, and Goodge is now waiting for his own mark to be certified.
“I felt like such an idiot”
But he claims he didn’t realise he had actually done even better than he first thought until after he finished and double checked.
Goodge said: “It was actually quite funny. I actually completed it in 34 days. I got the numbers wrong. One day is after 24 hours so you’re technically starting on day zero, if you know what I mean.
“I hadn’t actually figured that one out and I confirmed it by asking ChatGPT. It worked it out and gave me the actual numbers. I felt like such an idiot.”
Critics have questions
Goodge started running marathons after his mother, Amanda, died from cancer in 2018, and raised over $17,000 (USD) for the Cancer Council of Australia, Macmillan Cancer Support and The American Cancer Society on his latest adventure.
Critics have questioned some of his data but Goodge, who also claims the record for the fastest Brit ever to run across the USA, from Los Angeles to New York in 55 days, stands by every step, and says he could not be more thankful for the reception he received Down Under.
Cookies and banana bread
He said: “The attitude here is really nice. Everyone is really behind people trying stuff. When we met people along the way, they brought me baked cookies and banana bread. Some people even joined me in running stretches.
“The first nine days were tough. I didn’t really sleep at night. I’ve had it before where you just feel really deep pain, and I’d be lying in one position and my hip flexor would start flaring up or my glutes would be giving me a load of bother.
“I had to sleep with a pillow under my knees. The first nine days was like a revolving nightmare. I was still hitting the numbers but I was starting to wonder whether it would be like this the whole way through. Then day ten was a big change and I got back on the horse and threw up some big numbers.
“Complete nightmare”
“There were other tough days. There always are. But I never got back to that stage of it feeling like a complete nightmare. I think you just have to grind your body and mind down sometimes.
“There were a lot of tough moments. But I never doubted I could do it. I knew how much I would have to put in every day. I was keeping an eye on my average to make sure I was on course to beat Chris with his 39 days.
“There is elation for the achievement. There is relief that it’s over, because it’s so intense. And also some sadness that it’s over. When I’m doing it, I can’t wait to get out of it. When I finish, I miss it.
“It’s a great weight off my shoulders. My feet are quite swollen. I had lots of little niggles and when my Achilles blew up, that was cause for concern. It lasted about four or five days. But your body just figures it out sometimes.”
