for those who love the outdoors
23 August, 2022
For the final episode of season 4 on the Outside & Active Podcast, we are joined by the real life Forrest Gump, Rob Pope. Find out how he started his running journey and how the idea came about to run the same route that Forrest ran in the film. We also talk through his expereince running back to back ultra marathons and his experience during the infamous Marathon Des Sables.
His name is Rob Pope, but you might know him as Forrest Gump. In 2018, Rob became the first person to answer one of the most asked questions in ultrarunning. “Could Forrest have actually survived his epic run”. Well, according to Rob, he could, after he himself ran over 15,600 miles in 422 days, crossing America almost five times and finishing at the same spot Forrest did in Monument Valley.
As such, it seemed appropriate that he next appeared at the sharp end of the field in the 2019 Marathon des Sables finishing as the highest placing Brit/Australian, despite developing pneumonitis on the long stage.
Since then he has taken his charity fundraising to almost £100,000 with major long distance runs between two of the UK’s highest summits - Snowdon and Scafell for the Stroke Association and making a pilgrimage called “The Long and Winding Road” from Liverpool to Glastonbury festival, running over 100km daily, for Oxfam.
This weeks episode of the Outside & Active Podcast is sponsored by our friends at Sports Tours International.
Sports Tours International have you covered gaining entries to the world famous major marathons and on your way to getting the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Major Medal. Search “Sports Tours ABBOTT Major” online today and let them take you to the starting line!
They also have a competition running where you can win a once in a lifetime 7 Day True Trekker tour to climb Mount Toubkal in Morocco. Click here to find out how to enter.
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Outside & Active is the home for those who love the outdoors. Our mission is to inspire, inform and educate people about being active outdoors in a fun, safe and sustainable way. We provide inspiration, kit, tech and advice on adventure, camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, running water and winter.
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