Will Goodge has sensationally become the fastest person to run across Australia, completing the extraordinary feat in just 35 days.
The endurance athlete, who took up running as a way to focus his mind following the death of his mother Amanda to cancer in 2018, crossed the finish line in Sydney at 16:07 local time at Bondi Beach on Monday (May 19).
Goodge toppled the record previously set by Australian Chris Turnbull, who had completed the epic journey in 39 days and eight hours in October 2024.
The fastest human across Australia
The Brit’s journey began on April 15 as he ran the equivalent of 90 marathons at a rate of more than two per day. He covered nearly 4,000km of unforgiving terrain from Perth on the West Coast to Sydney on the South-East shore in an effort to raise money for charity.
His initial comment on social media was short and sweet following the completion of his journey as he posted on his Instagram page:
“The fastest human ever to run across Australia. Perth to Sydney – 3,860km, 90 marathons, 35 days.”
Hundreds of runners met with Goodge at Centennial Park in Sydney at around 15:00 local time to join him on the final leg of the journey to Bondi Beach – completing the last 4.5km or so in the company of supporting voices.
‘An honour being here’
When the dust had settled, Goodge said: “It’s hard to put into words how I feel about finishing this run and getting the world record.
“I started running seven and a half years ago when I lost my mum to cancer. I had no direction and no plan, but I found something that helped and gave me space, freedom, and time to process. I figured out that doing things larger than myself could help others, through raising money for cancer charity, and the fact that it’s culminated to this day with being the world record holder and announcing myself as one of the best to do it is absolutely crazy to me.
“l’ve just got so much love and gratitude for my team. I couldn’t have done it without them. To the people and the land of Australia, it’s been an absolute honour being here.”
During the run, Goodge raised over $17,000 (USD) for the Cancer Council of Australia, Macmillan Cancer Support and The American Cancer Society.
