British ultrarunner completes two-month run across Australia

Jack Pitcher, 28, became the fastest British runner to traverse Australia, completing the 4,320-kilometer journey from Perth to Sydney's Bondi Beach in 61 days.

On Wednesday, Jack Pitcher, a 28-year-old ultrarunner from Berkshire, U.K., completed a 4,320-km run from Perth to Sydney, dipping his feet into the ocean at Bondi Beach. The gruelling two-month journey saw him set a new British record for the fastest coast-to-coast run across Australia, finishing in 61 days.

Pitcher shattered the previous British record of 77 days, set by Nikki Love in 2023, by consistently covering an average of 71 kilometers per day. He began his trek on Oct. 6 at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, and overcame extreme conditions to reach Sydney almost nine weeks later.

Initially accompanied by his friend Joshua Smith, the duo’s plans changed when Smith suffered an injury midway through the transcontinental run. Despite the setback, Smith continued to support Pitcher, cycling alongside him in the final weeks.

Speaking to BBC Berkshire, Pitcher reflected on the highs and lows of his incredible journey. “I’m over the moon. Sixty days would have been ideal, but I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve done,” he said. Pitcher recalled battling 45 C heat, exhaustion and even hallucinations during the final weeks, which temporarily forced him to halt his run, for safety reasons.

The run wasn’t just about breaking records. He dedicated his journey to raising funds for SSAFA, a U.K. military charity, and to honor his father, a former member of the army, who inspired him. “Helping others and making my family proud was my biggest motivation,” he shared.

Pitcher told the BBC he’s grateful for the moments of wonder along the way, from encounters with Australia’s unique wildlife to the kindness of strangers offering cold drinks during scorching days.

While Pitcher now holds the British record, the fastest known run from Perth to Sydney remains in the hands of Chris Turnbull, an Australian ultrarunner who completed the same journey in 39 days, eight hours, and one minute in 2023.

posted Saturday December 7th
by Marley Dickinson