Running for female education in India

Ultra-marathon runner, Patrick Farmer has reached the last phase of his epic 65 day journey through India, aimed at raising money for girl’s education.

Former MP Pat Farmer. (File) Source: file photo

Multiple world record holder and ultra-marathon runner, Patrick Farmer has entered the last leg of his fund-raising run through India.

After running 80 kilometres a day for 48 days straight, he finally reached Delhi’s iconic India Gate with a convoy of supporters in tow.

His arrival in Delhi marked more than 3400 kilometres completed of the of the total 4600 kilometre journey north,  which he hopes will bring female education into focus.

"If you educate the girl child, you educate the mothers, if you educate the mothers, if you educate the family, you educate the nation," he said.

The former Member of Parliament is hoping to raise $100,000 for girls’ education in India, where female school dropout levels remain high.

On January 26th, the 53 year-old set off from India's southern-most tip, Kanyakumari.

Battling through traffic congestion, humidity and pollution, Mr Farmer’s suffered severe dehydration, muscle meltdown and heat exhaustion.

But with the nation behind him, he’s showing no signs of giving up.

“There have been enormous crowds, as you can imagine in a country of 12 billion people. I’ve been joined by so many people, from elite athletes to elderly people, to young children in schools, he said. 

"There are many days where I think I don't have the energy to go on, that's why I'm doing this run. I think of the children's faces here in front of me, I think of the people of India and Spirit of India and that gives me the strength to keep pushing on."

His journey so far has been embraced by Indian's across all castes, from small communities and villages, to the highest levels of government.

He hopes to finish the run in Srinigar in Kashmir, in the Northern-Most tip of the country on March 20^th.

It’s a feat he hopes will reinforce the idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

"I'm just an ordinary human being and if I can run the length of this country, 4600 kilometres without a day off , you can do anything you set your mind to as well."