Karel Sabbe runs length of NZ in 31 days

Imagine running 100 kilometers a day—for over a month! That’s exactly what Belgian ultrarunner Karel Sabbe has just accomplished, setting a blistering new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on New Zealand’s legendary Te Araroa Trail.

Sabbe completed the 3,054km journey in just 31 days, 19 hours, and 41 minutes, crushing the previous record by more than 17.5 days! That’s not just breaking a record—it’s completely rewriting the history books.

Te Araroa: A Trail Like No Other
Te Araroa (which means “The Long Pathway” in Māori) stretches from Cape Reinga in the north to Bluff in the south, weaving through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes Aotearoa has to offer.

Hikers normally take between 50 and 80 days to complete this epic adventure. But Sabbe? He sprinted through it like a real-life superhero—powering over mountains, along wild beaches, through thick forests, and even across tricky river crossings.

Before Sabbe’s record-breaking run, the fastest completion belonged to Kiwi runner George Henderson, who finished in 49 days, 14 hours, and 27 minutes back in 2020. That was impressive—but Sabbe just took it to another level.

Starting on January 16, Sabbe flew through the 1,710km North Island section in just 17 days. By midnight on February 16, he had completed all 3,054km, averaging more than 100km per day—every day!

How did he do it? He had a dedicated support crew, who made sure he had food, water, and the right gear at all times. Their job was to stay one step ahead, so Sabbe could focus on what he does best—running like the wind.

This isn’t Sabbe’s first rodeo in New Zealand. Exactly 10 years ago, he competed in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, a legendary 243km multisport race that includes running, cycling, and kayaking.

After that race, he realised something big: running was his true passion.

“I decided to leave cycling and kayaking behind and focus on running,” he said. “I recovered fast and could run long, so I became obsessed with Fastest Known Times.”

Well, that obsession paid off!

Karel Sabbe: A Record-Breaking Machine
At 36 years old, Sabbe has built a reputation as one of the world’s most unstoppable endurance athletes. Here are just some of his other mind-blowing achievements:

🏆 Barkley Marathons Finisher (2023): One of only 17 people ever to complete this brutal race.

🏆 Pacific Crest Trail FKT (2016): Ran 4,300km from Mexico to Canada in just 52 days.

🏆 Appalachian Trail Record (2018): Completed the 3,530km trek in a world-record 41 days.

🏆 Big’s Backyard Ultra World Champion (2020): Ran 502km over 75 laps in a last-person-standing event.

And now? He’s conquered New Zealand’s toughest trail in record time.