One final challenge as the Nullarbor separates ultra-marathoner Tim Franklin from the end of the world

Australian ultra-marathoner Tim Franklin’s feet have taken him to the brink of a 26,232km journey around the globe. Franklin left Perth this week for the last leg; a “simple” crossing of Australia all that stands between him, the finish line, a cold beer and a good lie down in his home town of Brisbane. Averaging 55km a day since he left Queensland’s capital on December 2, 2022, Franklin has along the way turned 40, celebrated two Christmases, survived a treacherous crossing of the Danube, snow laden roads in Eastern Europe, the stifling humidity of Malaysia and Singapore and Perth’s 41C heatwave. For the most part a metronomic grind and occasionally a painful shuffle, it has taken him through New Zealand, the USA, South America, the UK, and Europe. Franklin has seen enough stunning vistas so fill decades of calendars, but one visual feast stands out. “Running in Patagonia in South America, crossing the border from Chile to Argentina, we were about 2500 metres about sea level and it was snowing,” he told Quarter by Quarter. “And then it cleared up, the blue skies came out and it was literally a winter wonderland. Amazing. Breathtaking.” Fifteen pairs of Hoka runners later, Franklin had a day off in Perth last week before being joined by hundreds of well wishers for a Cottesloe Park Run, a job around the city and its attractions before embarking on the trip across the Nullarbor. All under a veil of sadness after his father passed away during the American leg of his global run. He returned to Australia for the funeral, ending any hope of breaking a 434-day world record for an around the world jog, before returning to his mission to honour his father’s dying wish: Franklin is running for three charities - Red Bull Wings for Life spinal cord research, Inspiring Brighter Futures, dedicated to assisting underprivileged children, and the Lung Cancer Foundation of Australia. “Losing my father has been a profound moment in this journey, and I’m even more motivated to run for those who can’t and support causes that make a meaningful impact such as the three charities we’re raising funds for,” he said. He has learnt much about himself. “I have learnt a lot about what life throws at you. I am a lot more patient now. Unless I am at an airport and I tend to lose it an airports, but things happen and sometimes you have absolutely no control over it, but you have got control over the outcome.” He said it was “quite strange” being back in Australia where there was no language barrier, but even through broken communication, Franklin has experienced the best of humanity. “People have been amazing. No matter where I’ve been, who I am talking to, how we are communication whether it is talking, pointing or grunting, or doing it on Google translate, people have been willing to help, people who don’t have anything,” he said. “In Chile we were going to eat and we told them what we were doing. A few of the people running the restaurants said ‘Your money is no good here, you can eat for free. Or you can stay with my auntie’s cousin.” His body has held up well in spite of the challenge. Franklin developed tendinitis in both heels about 100 days in which lasted about a month. “Both my legs below the shins were double the size,” he said. About three months ago in Germany, his right hip locked up. “I couldn’t put any weight on it. That lasted about three weeks and then came good,” he said. The Danube crossing was memorable for different reasons, “The bridge was like nothing I’ve seen - there was no railing in places and it was a direct drop, nearly 100 metres below either into a hard pylon or the river itself, there was a constant stream of traffic, mostly trucks - who weren’t really prepared to share their piece of the bridge,” he said. The same day they had to fight off a wild dog before and survive another drama on a nearby motorway. “A car had stopped in the middle of the motorway and another hadn’t seen it, hit it at probably 100 kilometres per hour and then went into a barrel roll. It easily would have rolled eight or nine times,” he said. “It missed me by metres. Had I been another 20-30 metres up the road, it would have taken me out. At that speed and energy, I’d have no chance. “The driver had been knocked out, so we stopped to ensure the engine had been cut to avoid fuel catching fire and then attend to the driver as best we could with the car on its side. We were able to assist him until the first responders arrived.” So what awaits in Brisbane? “I am as full as anything. There is no emptiness at all. I am ready to be home. There will be euphoria at finishing but that is still some time off,” he said. “I am ready to be back in Brisbane, recovering, and then moving on with the next stage of my life. I just want to get home and see if Mum’s OK.” Follow Franklin’s journey at Tim Franklin on Facebook; @timmyrfranklin on Instagram or on Strava via www.timrunstheworld.com.

One final challenge as the Nullarbor separates ultra-marathoner Tim Franklin from the end of the world

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