Canadian man plans to run barefoot across North and South America.
According to Taiwan’s “News Network,” a 32-year-old Canadian named Rocchini began a barefoot run from his hometown in North America on July 2 local time, intending to cross the entire continent to the southern tip of Argentina, Tierra del Fuego. Rocchini plans to pass through 14 countries, raising funds for charitable organizations in those nations to support education for underprivileged children.
The report noted that Rocchini was inspired by Cuban revolutionary hero Che Guevara’s motorcycle journey across South America, as well as Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner, who climbed 14 peaks to raise funds. Rocchini said he chose to go barefoot both to make history and to save money.
The run is expected to cover around 190,000 kilometers, equivalent to 450 marathons. Running about 25 hours per week, the journey is projected to take 18 months. Rocchini said the biggest challenge would be the mental loneliness—he will spend most of the nearly two years alone. Avoiding sidewalks and railway tracks, which can easily injure his feet, will also be a major hurdle.
As for how he’ll manage food during the 18-month journey, Rocchini said he’ll eat whatever he can find along the way. He also has sponsors providing him with oat rolls and other supplies. His determination not to give up and the support of his family will be the driving forces keeping him on the move.