An Australian Ultra-Marathon Athlete Is Running 4,600 Kilometers Across India In 60 Days

Run, Farmer, Run!

Patrick Farmer, an ultra-marathon athlete, motivational speaker, and former Australian politician, is on a journey spanning India, beginning from Kanyakumari.

Greg Wood / AFP / Getty Images

He started the journey on January 26, when India’s 67th Republic Day overlapped with Australia Day. During the run, Farmer will cover 12 states and pass through cities like Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jaipur, Agra, New Delhi, and Chandigarh.

He will run a distance of 4,600 kilometres in 60 days and is slated to finish the run at Srinagar on March 30, 2016.

Via mea.gov.in

The event, dubbed “Spirit Of India,” is intended to promote India-Australia relations, encourage tourism and personal relationships between the two countries, and raise funds for girls’ education in India.

Via Twitter: @Suman_Billa

In order to document this entire project, Farmer will be accompanied by a documentary crew including a director and camera persons. His physiotherapist is also along for the ride.

Farmer will run between 5 A.M. to 5 P.M., and hopes that while he's running, locals will join him as well.

Via Twitter: @AusDHCIndia

"I am very excited to be running the length of India, never before have I run in a country with such diversity and steeped in such cultural significance," Farmer said in a release by the Australian Consulate General. "I am sure that this will prove to be the most incredible run that I have ever done," he added.

It's been three days so far, and Farmer is currently in Kerala.

Suman Billa @Suman_Billa

Day3-Kerala takes to @Patfarmerrunner as its own! @KeralaTourism @AusDHCIndia @incredibleindia #spiritofindiarun

05:38 AM - 28 Jan 2016

India's Ministry of External Affairs is a part of the project, and is tracking Pat Farmer's journey.