Australian ultra-distance runner Tom Denniss is set to make history at 1:00pm today (Friday, September 13) in forecourt of the Sydney Opera House by becoming the fastest person to circumnavigate the world on foot.
Tom is on track to beat the current record by 40 days (which was set in 2005), and has raised more than $44,000 for Oxfam Australia’s work to fight poverty and injustice.
His journey began at the Opera House on 31 December 2011 and today he has run 622 marathons and 26,000km in 622 days. He has worn out 17 pairs of shoes in the process and run through innumerable countries across five continents.
Tom’s goal was to inspire other people to take on similar seemingly impossible challenges and to help raise money for Oxfam Australia, which works with communities around the world to create solutions to poverty and social injustice.
A sophisticated website (http://www.tomsnextstep.com/) and a strong social media presence provided by Tom’s major sponsor, Asia Pacific Digital, helped record his progress, even tracking his exact location using the “Tom Tracker”, and provided an easy online donation tool that raised more than $44,000 for Oxfam.
“I am passionate about making a difference, and I am thrilled at the amount of support I have received from family and friends, and of course Asia Pacific Digital, who made it all possible,” Tom said.
“The constant flow of support and donations from people at home and around the world have made the incredible sights and cultures all the more enjoyable and inspiring.”
Tom’s support staff included his wife Carmel, who is documenting the journey as well as providing him with food, water and emotional support.
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Dr Helen Szoke said Tom’s achievement was awe-inspiring and would motivate other community fundraisers to aim for great heights.
“I congratulate Tom on his remarkable achievement. His fundraising efforts will enable our work with some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities around the globe, helping to improve the lives of people living in poverty,” Dr Szoke said.
Chairman of Asia Pacific Digital, Roger Sharp, said the digital commerce group, which specialize in digital strategies and solutions, was thrilled to have helped Tom reach his goal over the past two years.
“We are thrilled to be supporting Tom on his remarkable journey, and we are extremely proud of his fundraising initiative for Oxfam Australia,” he said.
“While there are so many worthwhile causes out there, as an Asian-Pacific company with both a local and global focus, we are deeply aware of and dedicated to poverty issues in our region and around the world.”
As the major sponsor, Asia Pacific Digital is responsible for making Tom’s journey possible, and is looking forward to welcoming him home in the upcoming months.
For more information, visit http://www.tomsnextstep.com
What: Sydney man Tom Denniss finishes 26,000km solo around the world run in record time of 622 days.
Where: Sydney Opera House forecourt
When: 1pm, Friday 13 September, 2013
Contact for interviews with Tom and more information: Tim Allerton/Andrew Geddes, City Public Relations: (02) 9267 4511 / 0412 715 707 Anne Wright, Oxfam Australia: 0411 035 695
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