A few years back, I decided to start a world run challenge. Not literally, but distance-wise. What I do is measure the distance between capital cities and then run it in 10km stretches. My knees are not really fans of longer runs, as my two 42k adventures have attested, so this is a good way to maintain motivation without a marathon carrot.

I learn a bit of geography into the bargain, too, because I check whereabouts I am in the world as I go. I realise running all over the world is completely impossible unless the elixir for eternal life is discovered, but that’s just how I like it. In any case, this is what I’ve managed so far:

1st Leg – London (England) to Cardiff (Wales) – 211km
2nd Leg – Cardiff (Wales) to Dublin (Ireland) – 294km
3rd Leg – Dublin (Ireland) to Belfast (Northern Ireland) – 141km
4th Leg – Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Edinburgh (Scotland) – 230km
5th Leg – Edinburgh (Scotland) to Reykjavik (Iceland) – 1,372km
6th Leg – Reykjavik (Iceland) to Ottawa (Canada) – 3,862km
7th Leg – Ottawa (Canada) to Washington DC (US) – 735km

Current Leg
Leg 8 – Washington DC (US) to Nassau (The Bahamas)
Completed – 565km
To go – 972km
Current Position – Atlantic Ocean off Bald Head Island, NC

Consecutive Day Record – 42 days
Total Distance Covered – 7,410 km

So why not choose a route and start measuring your own world run challenge? Let me know if you do and how you’re getting along in the comments.

Find out more:
Who is the Travel Mongrel?