2,000km, eight countries, 29 days - the fastest runner to cross the Alps
2,000km, eight countries, 29 days - the fastest runner to cross the Alps - Published Ultra-runner Sophie Woods ran 2,000km across eight countries in only...
Key points
- 2,000km, eight countries, 29 days - the fastest runner to cross the Alps - Published Ultra-runner Sophie Woods ran 2,000km across eight countries in only 29 days to break the record for completing the Via Alpina - one of the world's toughest endurance challenges.
- New Zealander Woods and her team battled two heatwaves, storms, a swarm of horseflies, and wildfires that resulted in a detour that added five kilometres and 200m of treacherous climbing to her route.
- "I might not be the fastest person out there but I know how to do big, long days in the mountains and just keep moving when everything hurts." Eating was key to Woods' success.
- I was sure I was going to pull 15 million muscles," Woods said.
What happened
More photos


2,000km, eight countries, 29 days - the fastest runner to cross the Alps - Published Ultra-runner Sophie Woods ran 2,000km across eight countries in only 29 days to break the record for completing the Via Alpina - one of the world's toughest endurance challenges. New Zealander Woods and her team battled two heatwaves, storms, a swarm of horseflies, and wildfires that resulted in a detour that added five kilometres and 200m of treacherous climbing to her route. "I might not be the fastest person out there but I know how to do big, long days in the mountains and just keep moving when everything hurts." Eating was key to Woods' success. I was sure I was going to pull 15 million muscles," Woods said. I didn't want to put myself, my crew or anyone in danger by going through the fires," Woods said. "I didn't want to be running for more than 30 days - 30 days is enough," she said.