Mike Humphreys is 1,000km into the challenge – with 10,000km more to go
Mike Humphreys of Hedon, who is attempting to run the entire length of South America(Image: Mike Humphreys)
Mike Humphreys is not afraid of a challenge. When you have run a marathon in ski boots, ridden a Raleigh Chopper bike from Hull to the French Alps and competed in 30 marathons in 30 days in 30 countries, you already have proof of personal endurance, stamina and perseverance on your side.
Now Hedon welder Mike is testing all of those characteristics to their limits as he attempts to run the full length of South America. He set out in late March on his latest challenge, in the hope of raising funds and awareness for MND – Motor Neurone Disease.
Mike expects to be on the road running between 45km and 50km every day for the next 250 days or so to complete the entire length of the continent, taking an estimated 15-million steps to cover 11,000-plus kilometres. It is in support of his friend from Hull, Craig Eskrett, who is living with MND after being diagnosed in 2023.
He is also inspired by his late pal Carl Giblin – “Gib” – who lost his life to MND eight years ago. Hull Live caught up with Mike, currently in Argentina, before he was about to set out on his daily run routine.
“Hitch-hiking has been the biggest challenge so far,” said Mike, explaining how he drives his van 50k or so to a point on his route, hitches a lift to where he wants to start his run, then makes his way back to his van again on foot. Through these stages, Mike aims to progress through Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.
“I’m at day 26 and I’ve managed to keep going without a day off so far,” said Mike. “I’ve been out here alone for ten days – I had a guy with me at first who was filming me and driving the van, so I only had to run my distance, get in the van, cook a meal, sleep and start again.
“Now I’m driving the van myself and hitch-hiking to get to my start. It’s not easy to find a safe spot to leave the van; there’s just one road with no verges or anything so you have to hope you find a field or a truck stop.
“Last night it took me three hours before I was picked up – it’s cold when you’re just in your running kit, and it’s really, really windy out here – but the people have been lovely. The lorry drivers have been offering me drinks and food.”
Fortunately Mike is pretty fluent in Spanish so is able to tell people why there is an Englishman on his own running along the road in Argentina. “They ask me if I’ve broken down or something,” said Mike, who was interrupted by a local asking why Mike was parked on his land, while he was being interviewed.
Inspired by wanting to “get more eyes” on MND and helping people living with the disease, and their families, Mike first completed an Ironman, after learning of Craig’s diagnosis at the age of 36. Deciding that “wasn’t enough” he then ran a marathon in ski boots.
The “30 in 30 in 30” challenge came next before Mike then decided to bike from Hull to the Alps from Hull, a distance of 1,025 miles, on a Raleigh Chopper. He has also scaled England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, in flip-flops and Speedos, driven by the same cause.
He said: “I’m thinking there will be about 250 days of running in front of me, but with it being so vast and with the diversity of the terrain, I can’t be exact. A road might be closed suddenly because of a landslide.”
Mike has been helped on his South America challenge by nutrition company Huel, which offers a Limit Seeker Fund to help ordinary people to conquer extraordinary personal goals. Support from the fund helped towards Mike’s flights and its supplements are keeping him fuelled while he is on the running challenge.
“I hope I can bring hope to everyone affected by MND – not only the sufferers of the disease but their families as well,” said Mike. “I do believe there’s a cure out there and that they will find it, and that’s what’s driving me to keep going.”
You can follow Mike as he documents his journey @mikeyhumph on Instagram and he is also on Facebook. There are also links on the platforms where followers can donate to MND.
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