Barefoot Aleks. Photo: Aleks Kashefi
A man who took up running less than five years ago has completed a gruelling journey down the complete length of mainland Europe.
Aleks Kashefi, known as Barefoot Aleks, ran from Nordkapp in Arctic Norway to Punta de Tarifa in Spain, a distance of 6,189km (3,846 miles), taking 196 days battling through winter weather on his solo venture.
The Buxton, Derbyshire-based teacher hopes he will be recognised by Guinness World Records as the first to complete the winter challenge.
The 38-year-old ran from Land’s End to John O’Groats previously. Both runs were self-supported.
He hopes to raise cash for Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the Stroke Association and a young people’s charity called the Thomas Theyer Foundation and has set up a Virgin Money Giving site for donations.
Mr Kashefi said: “I ran LeJog last summer and wanted to do something else, raise money for charities linked and to inspire younger people to take on challenges of their own. Since being a teacher I noticed that most would avoid challenges based on a fear of failure
“I was a full-time teacher and started running 4½ years ago to try and cope with quite a low patch. It kind of went from there with running 652 hill reps that amounted to 75 miles for a school project; running LeJog Barefoot – 1,162 miles in 38 days, self-supported – and then this.”
He chose the Stroke Association because he witnessed his mother having a stroke when he was about six or seven and his grandfather had lots of mini-strokes, forgetting who most of his family were and eventually passing away.
Mountain Rescue England and Wales was chosen because he has many friends who are rescue volunteers and he spend lots of time out and about in the outdoors. “I’ve seen their dedication and it seemed I should give something back for having them there as backup all the time,” he said.
The Thomas Theyer Foundation works with young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyspraxia, encouraging them to get outside and learn actively. He said: “They are raising money to build an outdoor education centre. I know the immense value this will have to the learning and development to youngsters and they are a small local Buxton charity.”
Part of his European run was on the E1 long-distance path, which runs from North Cape in Norway to Italy. His route took him through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and Spain. The run began on 3 August last year.
Mr Kashefi, who completed the route in sandals, said: “The best moments were the sunsets and sunrises, running to see incredible views from mountains, lakes and canyons.
My worst moments would be the constant cold once winter hit in late September in the Arctic Circle. It stayed cold – around zero all the time until I reached southern France.
Journey's end: Barefoot Aleks arrives at Tarifa. Photo: Aleks Kashefi
“It’s amazing at how many points I actually should have failed and in ways I did, but each mistake just made me able to cope with more later on.
“It’s a little surreal to have run the entire length of Europe and a crazy thought that I’m the first person to actually get up and do it. It’s going to be funny to see if Guinness will accept geotagged pictures and all my film footage as evidence of completing the unclaimed world record.
“I can’t believe how difficult it was to run Europe, especially compared to running LeJog. It made running LeJog feel like it was nothing more than a park run!
“I think taking on adventures, not necessarily this big or difficult, should be something everyone does. That time outside your comfort zone is a massively important way for people to learn about themselves.”
He now hopes people will donate to his appeal. The runner said: “This journey started with a goal: to inspire others and to raise money for three worthy charities. 6,189km in 196 days of solo winter running is done.
“Now it’s time to ask if people would kindly donate with a few words to explain.”
He now plans to get a part-time job and to train for some UK-based long-distance runs, including a self-supported run of the national Three Peaks.
Donations can be made via his Virgin Money Giving page.
R. Day
19 February 2017The most Northern point of Europe is not Nordkapp in Norway the most southern is not Punta de Tarifa in Spain.so how is this the record for the entirel length of Europe North to South?
This was meant to be the E1 trail!
Graham
20 February 2017They are the northern and southern points of the European mainland, which is surely a realistic definition for a running challenge. The alternative would require rather a lot of swimming!
R. Day
20 February 2017So nothing to do with starting on the E1 then re framing it all when messed up? Or the classic that was posted cant do the E1 because the trail is not established in Italy! A surprise i am sure to those who have done the route in Italy.
If you are running northern to southern points of Europe you do so with integrity from the start you do what the nature of the beast is not reinvent. After all were not boats / ships used at other points?
This was not most Northern to most Southern point sorry if the geography is inconvenient. Nor was it a winter crossing of Europe when it stats in August!
This was a case of it all going wrong so what can it now be called, change and hope no one notices.
Rday
20 February 2017Not sure if last comment will be published which would be a shame as there needs to be integrity to reporting as others are affected.
The addition in the account to now read unsupported winter challenge is not fair. This started in august and took so long because of the low daily miles covered. Surely a winter attempt (as per say the winter bob Graham) must be undertaken in the defined winter period. To start it in August then start talking of a winter crossing is preposterous. As per the unsupported claim having read the blog he was far from being unsupported with lots of help throughout the route.
Integrity matters I would like to tin this can be aired in the interest of covering all aspect of a story
R. Day
20 February 2017My previous point (not showing for some reason) referred to the geography. To travel from northern most to southern most point is either done or it is not done.
To claim northern most to southern most but not do that because of water is absurd. After all was not water crossing involved at other points?
It seems this is attempting to make something out of the failure to do the stated E1. I recall reading one explanation given that being the E1 could not be followed through Italy as it had not been designated. Which must be interesting news for those who have done the E1 through Italy
Les Smith
20 February 2017Mr Day .. I just love internet experts ..
Graham
20 February 2017OK, strictly speaking he should have gone from a small island in the Barents Sea to another small island south of Crete. Since that is clearly not practical on foot it seems reasonable to me to settle for the northern and southern points on the mainland - just like people run LEJOG rather than Scilly to Shetland.
R. Day
21 February 2017It is not the most Northern point because it started as the E1 trail and so he started at the start of the E1 trail.
This north to south came about when that messed up and for no other reason than that. Hence the reinvention and hope it will do
Graham
21 February 2017In that case, the record for Europe North to South is still there for the taking. I look forward to reading about your epic run/swim from Rudolf Island to Gavdos.
R. Day
21 February 2017Don't shoot the message. Lejog is just that Lands End to John O Groats it is as it says. Europe northern most to southern most for A RECORD VALIDATED needs to be that. If boat crossings are required so be it as they were during this journey at later points.
If a person can chose a point anyone could start anywhere near South and call it Europe north to south and also claim the record.
It is what is is if you need a record attached to add to the awesome call it for what it is; if he is claiming a record expect it to be challenged for validity. You might want to read this:
https://www.run247.com/articles/article-5559-how-to-%23fkt.html
Same applies to winter attempts. There is the meterological winter period it does not start in august! Start in August and claim a winter crossing to up the awesome factor kinda lame in my opinion of course
Les Smith
21 February 2017Mr Day I do wonder if Aleks .Found any TROLLS on his Travels in Norway .
welldone Aleks!
22 February 2017Mr Day,
Why don't you go put your running shoes on and do this yourself instead of criticising someone else's massive achievement
I'd make a good guess and say you don't work for Guinness World Records so it's not your decision, I'd also make a good guess you're not able to get even half way close to what Aleks did AND you seem to have missed the fact he's done this for a bunch of charities mountain rescue being one of them which as you are commenting on an outdoors site I guess you like the outdoors and hence (hopefully never but...) might one day need!
I hope you /anyone you know never suffers from a stroke as this is also another charity he is raising awareness for!
I for one say:
welldone Aleks!
DinoF
24 February 2017I don't think R Day is saying that this isn't an impressive way to spend 6 months, but to make it into an "ultra running record" devalues some great achievements over predefined routes. For instance, Jim Mann's completion of all three big GB mountain rounds in less than a month in true Winter conditions (which he finished this weekend but that has not been reported on in Grough) with two of the rounds being new winter records is an amazing feat.
Rich day
25 February 2017Yes Dino is correct. Was this story copy supplied and written by Akek?
Lots of people doing great things but boo so with integrity not for the hype and the newsprint. Jim Mann one great example of doing it as it should be.
I find it concerning when a claim is challenged -there are words and pictures so must be true such is the mindset of many - the response is as above 'trolling' 'you should do it then' which by the way if i was given £5000 plus support and no rush could very well do. I find when oeople respond with such hostility they have no valid argument left so resort to what they do.
The claims must be challenged for the integrity of those to come who may attempt similar. The claim of 'unsupported' when he set off with someone in support and used her tent when he broke his own, just one example.. Is supported / unsupported valid ? Subjective or said to up the macho level?
Lots of questions some of us are not easily fooled or believe all we are told to believe. Integrity matters for those still to come if should not be a mere tool for one seeking his own 'fame' to manipulate
Rich day
25 February 2017Before anyone offers me £5000 for a holiday i enjoy my work happy to work where i am and have no interest in a 6 month long holiday paid or unpaid.
R. Day
25 February 2017I do find it disconcerting that the support sought is now dismissed in order to make an 'unsupported' claim. Ad if it adds to the pr value.
Equally disconcerting that an event tagged with a charity cannot be challenged!
If this is portrayed as a record, fed to news media for the publicity then there is every right it should be held to account.
Did i say i ran up Everest. It was cold and ever so blustery. I have a picture of everest and a selfie of me with an ice axe. For charity mate