List of pedestrian circumnavigators


A circumnavigation of the Earth is a journey from a point around the globe, returning to the point of departure. This list shows people who have completed a circumnavigation on foot.

Pedestrian circumnavigators

NameDateDistanceNotes
Robert GarsideOctober 20, 1997 - June 13, 200348,000 kmRobert Garside is a British runner credited by Guinness World Records as the first person to run around the world. Garside began his run following two aborted attempts from Cape Town, South Africa and London, England. Garside set off from New Delhi, India on 20 October 1997, completing his run back at the same point on 13 June 2003.
Jesper Kenn OlsenJanuary 1, 2004 - October 23, 200526,232 kmJesper Kenn Olsen ran 26,232 kilometres in his first world run. His run was scrutinized by the ultra running community.
Tom DennissDecember 31, 2011 - September 13, 201326,232.47 kmSecond runner credited with a proper documented world run under the World Runners Association rules. He holds the record for the fastest circumnavigation on foot and is the second person to be inducted into the WRA membership.
Tony ManganOctober 25, 2010 - October 27, 201450,000 kmThird runner to successfully run around the world. Having run 50,000 km, he holds the record for the longest world run according to the World Runners Association guidelines. Mangan is the third person to be inducted into the WRA membership.
Kevin John CarrJuly 28, 2013 - April 9, 201526,232 kmAiming to be the fourth runner credited with a proper documented world run, he followed the WRA rules in his attempt to break Tom Denniss's record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world on foot. Ratification of his claim by WRA is still pending.
Rosie Swale-PopeFirst woman to run and walk the northern hemisphere. She did not follow World Runners Association guidelines, primarily by running three continents instead of the minimum four and not crossing and recrossing the equator. She elected to run totally in the northern hemisphere; an additional 4,000 km run across Australia would have met the WRA guidelines.
David KunstJune 20, 1970 - October 5, 197423,250 km First man independently verified to have walked around the world, covering four continents. At 14,500 miles, his distance is below the minimum required for WRA membership; however, the WRA and its rules did not exist at the time of his walk. With relation to WRA rules where a minimum of four continents are required he had a gap.
Steven M. NewmanApril 1, 1983 - April 1, 1987Second man to walk around the world. His walk was very similar to David Kunst's, covering four continents and 14,500 miles. This distance is below the minimum required for WRA membership; however, the WRA and its rules did not exist at the time of his walk. With relation to WRA rules where a minimum of four continents are required he had two gaps.
Jean BeliveauAugust 18th, 2000, at 9:00 am - October 15, 2011Third man to walk around the world walking 75,000 km for 11 years in 64 countries. This is the longest continuous world walk and has preliminary qualification stage for recognition under the WRA guidelines.
Arthur BlessittDecember 25, 1969 - present40,600 milesBlessitt carried a cross through every nation of the world, 321 countries, of which 54 were in open war.
Ffyona Campbell20,000 milesFirst woman claiming to walk around the world. Later she admitted to taking transport on one stretch in USA whilst ill and having to fulfill sponsors demands. She later returned to walk that stretch. Her walk was carried out in stages and does not fulfill circumnavigation criteria.
Dumitru Dan1910-1923100,000 km Dan crossed five continents over three oceans, through 76 countries and over 1,500 cities, wearing out 497 pairs of shoes.
George Matthew Schilling1897-1904First person reputed to walk round the world, but not verified.