World Runners Association

Founder: Jesper Olsen

As the international governing body for the sport of multi-day journey running, particularly in regard to circumnavigating the Earth on foot, the World Runners Association maintains a list of world records and other achievements within the sport. These are published below in a progressive format that includes all previous holders of that world record. The latest entry is the current world record holder in that category, marked with an asterisk. Also published is a chronological list of all those who have achieved a ratified circumnavigation of the Earth on foot, according to the rules and guidelines defined by the WRA.

Fastest Circumnavigation of the Earth on Foot

23-10-2005: Jesper Olsen – 662 days (26,232 km)

13-09-2013: Tom Denniss – 622 days (26,232 km)

09-04-2015: Pending ratification – Kevin Carr – 621 days (26,232 km)

08-04-2017: Serge Girard – 434 days (26,245 km) *

Longest Circumnavigation of the Earth on Foot

23-10-2005: Jesper Olsen – 26,232 km (662 days)

25-08-2008: Rosie Swale Pope – 32,187 km (1,789 days)

28-07-2012: Jesper Olsen – 36,917 km (1,489 days)

26-10-2014: Tony Mangan – 50,000 km (1461 days) *

Most Circumnavigations of the Earth on Foot

28-07-2012: Jesper Olsen – 2 circumnavigations *

Youngest to Circumnavigate the Earth on Foot

23-10-2005: Jesper Olsen – average age: 33 years 147 days *

Oldest to Circumnavigate the Earth on Foot

23-10-2005: Jesper Olsen – average age: 33 years 147 days

25-08-2008: Rosie Swale Pope – average age: 59 years 163 days

08-04-2017: Serge Girard – average age: 62 years 315 days *

Those who have circumnavigated the Earth on foot:

23-10-2005: Jesper Olsen – 26,232 km over 662 days (first fully documented and ratified world run)

25-08-2008: Rosie Swale Pope – 32,187 km over 1,789 days. See http://www.rosieswalepope.co.uk

28-07-2012: Jesper Olsen – 36,917 km over 1,489 days. See http://www.worldrun.org

13-09-2013: Tom Denniss – 26,232 km over 622 days. See http://www.tomsnextstep.com

26-10-2014: Tony Mangan – 50,000 km over 1,461 days. See http://www.theworldjog.com

09-04-2015: Pending ratification – Kevin Carr – 26,232 km over 621 days. See http://www.hardwayround.com

08-04-2017: Serge Girard – 26,245 km over 434 days. See http://www.sergegirard.fr

Image by TheDigitalWay

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World Run 1 - Jesper Olsen

Jan 1, 2004

London, UK

Oct 23, 2005

London, UK

Jesper’s run around the world started on 1 January 2004 and took 22 months, covering 28 miles (45 km) a day on average. On October 23, 2005, Danish ultra runner Jesper Olsen finished his 1st race around the world at age 33, which turned him into the youngest world runner. He ran 16,299 miles ( 26,232K) East-West in 662 days, crossing 14 countries on 4 continents.By doing so he exceeded the distance of the first verified walk around the world by Dave Kunst (1970-1974), who covered 14,452 miles (23,123 km). Alexander Korotkov gave up in central Siberia and then Jesper continued his...

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World Run 2 - Jesper Olsen

Jul 1, 2008

North Cape, Norway

Jul 28, 2012

North Cape, Norway

Danish ultra runner Jesper Olsen ran around the world 2 times:“What fascinated me about doing such a long run was the opportunity to literally measure the world, not only by thought but by using my body as the medium to understand and experience the world. Step by step and continent by continent; to understand the world, its vastness, its diversity, its cultures, and its nature; and its unity, if such thing exists.What it really is beyond the books, television shows, documentaries and “snapshots” and “highlights” we usually experience,” Olsen describes in his book “The Runners Guide to the Planet.” ...

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World Run - Rosie Swale-Pope

Oct 2, 2003

Tenby, UK

Aug 25, 2008

Tenby, UK

British adventurer Rosie Swale-Pope ran more than 20,000 miles (32.000 km) around the world out of grief after her husband had died of cancer. Rosie rented out her cottage to fund her World Run and started from her hometown Tenby in Wales on her 57th birthday, 2 October 2003.Extreme loneliness, a bitter Siberian winter, a wild wolf stalking her, and an ax-wielding man, couldn’t stop Rosie from moving forward. Shen ran solo and unsupported, but her friend Geoff Hall made sure she got the supplies and equipment needed along the way.Rosie pulled a cart named ‘Icebird’, that was designed for sleeping, shelter and storage. ...

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The World Jog - Tony Mangan

Oct 25, 2010

Dublin, Ireland

Oct 27, 2014

Dublin, Ireland

At age 56, Tony Mangan became the oldest world runner by completing a 50.000 km distance run around the world in 1461 days, while raising money for Aware, a charity that helps to defeat depression. He explored 41 countries on 5 continents. “I’m moving around my dream,” he said. Tony didn’t start running until he was almost 30. “I have always considered myself to be an average runner. In school, I was even bullied for I was a sports wimp. Through hard work, dedication, perseverance, self-belief and a strong mind I succeeded in not only running around the world but breaking four...

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Run Around The World - Tom Denniss

Dec 31, 2011

Sydney, Australia

Sep 13, 2013

Sydney, Australia

Australian ultra runner Tom Denniss ran 26,232km around the world in 622 days, crossing 20 countries on 5 continents. Every day he covered a marathon distance and on September 13, 2013 he became the Fastest world runner with a record that was 40 days quicker than Jesper Olsen’s earlier circumnavigation. On December 31, 2011, Tom began in Sydney at the Opera House, heading east until he arrived back in Sydney, crossing the Rockies, the Andes and deserts like the Nullarbor, while raising money for Oxfam, a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. “I was...

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