Hallucinations, Blisters and a Record-Breaking Journey in 35 Days
British ultrarunner Will Goodge crossed Australia on foot in just 35 days, completing one of the most punishing endurance feats ever recorded. Beginning in Perth and ending at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on May 19, the influencer and former rugby player ran 2,387 miles—an average of 68.2 miles per day—through heat, pain and mental exhaustion. If confirmed, his effort would beat the previous trans-Australia record by four days, setting a new benchmark in extreme endurance sports.
The early days were brutal. Goodge described the first nine days as a “revolving nightmare” filled with sleepless nights and feverish hallucinations. Despite running through vast, empty landscapes, he experienced a sense of entrapment. “You’re surrounded by space, but I felt extremely claustrophobic,” he said. The relentless cycle of running, eating, and attempting to sleep wore heavily on his mind and body. Only on the tenth day did his body begin to adapt. By the final stretch, he managed five consecutive “good” days—his only stretch of relative comfort during the 35-day ordeal.
Driven by Memory, Pain and Purpose
Goodge’s motivation for the challenge was deeply personal. In 2018, he lost his mother to Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and he has since used endurance running to raise money and awareness for cancer charities in the UK, US, and Australia. At the finish line, he laid flowers in her memory on Bondi Beach. “When it gets tough, I think about my mom,” Goodge said. “She’s with me every step of the way.”
The mental toll was more punishing than the physical, he explained. Despite injuries to his Achilles, shin and toes, and dramatic weight loss—estimated at over 22 pounds—he never considered quitting. His daily schedule began at 4 a.m. with breakfast, massage or strapping, and then running in seven-mile intervals. Meals consisted of high-calorie smoothies, pasta, sandwiches and even a beer or two at night to preserve some sense of normalcy. “It adds a layer of normality,” Goodge said. “A small celebration for another 110 kilometers done.”
Controversy and Skepticism Follow Success
Despite his accomplishments, Goodge has faced criticism within the ultrarunning community. Some observers questioned the validity of his performance, particularly the data he shared online during this and past challenges. During a previous trans-America run, a skeptical British runner even flew across the Atlantic to investigate, suspecting that Goodge was “watch muling”—sharing his tracking device with others. No evidence of cheating was found, but the skepticism lingers.
Goodge has strongly denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations “disgusting,” particularly given the connection to his mother’s death. “I find it extremely disgusting that people would think I would use her memory to cheat,” he said. “But I get it. I don’t look like a typical ultrarunner, and I don’t act like one. That makes people uncomfortable.”
He’s aware that his solo accomplishments appear stronger than his race results. With an 11th-place finish at Utah’s Moab 240 in 2024, he plans to target podium finishes at official events to prove his capabilities on standardized courses. “I want to show I’m not just that guy who runs across countries. I want to be taken seriously as a competitor too.”
A Record Pending, and a Mission Ongoing
Goodge and his team are now compiling evidence to submit the Australia crossing for Guinness World Records certification, including GPS data, Strava uploads, and witness statements. Confident in their documentation, Goodge believes the record will be ratified.
For now, the ultrarunner has no new countries in his immediate plans, though a team event in Iceland may be on the horizon. Regardless of future routes, one thing remains constant: the enduring inspiration of his mother. “The connection with her feels true and deep,” he said. “That’s why I keep doing this.”