Barefoot Aleks. Photo: Aleks Kashefi

Barefoot Aleks. Photo: Aleks Kashefi

A man who took up running less than five years ago has completed a gruelling journey down the complete length of mainland Europe.

Aleks Kashefi, known as Barefoot Aleks, ran from Nordkapp in Arctic Norway to Punta de Tarifa in Spain, a distance of 6,189km (3,846 miles), taking 196 days battling through winter weather on his solo venture.

The Buxton, Derbyshire-based teacher hopes he will be recognised by Guinness World Records as the first to complete the winter challenge.

The 38-year-old ran from Land’s End to John O’Groats previously. Both runs were self-supported.

He hopes to raise cash for Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the Stroke Association and a young people’s charity called the Thomas Theyer Foundation and has set up a Virgin Money Giving site for donations.

Mr Kashefi said: “I ran LeJog last summer and wanted to do something else, raise money for charities linked and to inspire younger people to take on challenges of their own. Since being a teacher I noticed that most would avoid challenges based on a fear of failure

“I was a full-time teacher and started running 4½ years ago to try and cope with quite a low patch. It kind of went from there with running 652 hill reps that amounted to 75 miles for a school project; running LeJog Barefoot – 1,162 miles in 38 days, self-supported – and then this.”

He chose the Stroke Association because he witnessed his mother having a stroke when he was about six or seven and his grandfather had lots of mini-strokes, forgetting who most of his family were and eventually passing away.

Mountain Rescue England and Wales was chosen because he has many friends who are rescue volunteers and he spend lots of time out and about in the outdoors. “I’ve seen their dedication and it seemed I should give something back for having them there as backup all the time,” he said.

The Thomas Theyer Foundation works with young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and dyspraxia, encouraging them to get outside and learn actively. He said: “They are raising money to build an outdoor education centre. I know the immense value this will have to the learning and development to youngsters and they are a small local Buxton charity.”

Part of his European run was on the E1 long-distance path, which runs from North Cape in Norway to Italy. His route took him through Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France and Spain. The run began on 3 August last year.

Mr Kashefi, who completed the route in sandals, said: “The best moments were the sunsets and sunrises, running to see incredible views from mountains, lakes and canyons.

My worst moments would be the constant cold once winter hit in late September in the Arctic Circle. It stayed cold – around zero all the time until I reached southern France.

Journey's end: Barefoot Aleks arrives at Tarifa. Photo: Aleks Kashefi

Journey's end: Barefoot Aleks arrives at Tarifa. Photo: Aleks Kashefi

“It’s amazing at how many points I actually should have failed and in ways I did, but each mistake just made me able to cope with more later on.

“It’s a little surreal to have run the entire length of Europe and a crazy thought that I’m the first person to actually get up and do it. It’s going to be funny to see if Guinness will accept geotagged pictures and all my film footage as evidence of completing the unclaimed world record.

“I can’t believe how difficult it was to run Europe, especially compared to running LeJog. It made running LeJog feel like it was nothing more than a park run!

“I think taking on adventures, not necessarily this big or difficult, should be something everyone does. That time outside your comfort zone is a massively important way for people to learn about themselves.”

He now hopes people will donate to his appeal. The runner said: “This journey started with a goal: to inspire others and to raise money for three worthy charities. 6,189km in 196 days of solo winter running is done.

“Now it’s time to ask if people would kindly donate with a few words to explain.”

He now plans to get a part-time job and to train for some UK-based long-distance runs, including a self-supported run of the national Three Peaks.

Donations can be made via his Virgin Money Giving page.

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