New Zealand runner Sophie Woods has set a new record by completing the 2,000-kilometre Via Alpina mountain route across eight European countries in 28 days, 17 hours and 59 minutes. The 42-year-old Christchurch-born runner finished in Monaco on 1 August, beating the previous record by almost seven days. The Via Alpina passes through Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and Monaco.
The journey was far from easy, with Woods facing thunderstorms, heatwaves and swarms of biting horse flies. During one storm in Switzerland, lightning struck nearby and there was nowhere safe to shelter. On another day, she had been running since 3am when horse flies began biting her, forcing her to use ferns to swat them away. Woods sometimes focused on running for up to 20 hours a day and ate about 7,000 calories to give her body enough energy.
Her husband, George, and photographer Zoe Salt supported her throughout the challenge by helping with food, cooling her down, arranging rests and finding places to stay. Woods says completing the run has given her much more respect for what her body can do. She began running as an adult and slowly progressed from short jogs to races and mountain events.
Since breaking the record, Woods has received thousands of messages from girls and women who have been inspired to try running or challenge themselves. She says she never expected her achievement to attract so much attention. Woods now hopes her story will encourage others to discover what they can achieve.
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