Following his incredible barefoot run across the UK last summer, school teacher Aleks Kashefi has another challenge in his sights. The 37-year-old science teacher from Buxton has decided to take on the E1 Trail, a 4,750-mile self-supported run from Norway to Sicily. If he achieves his goal, Kashefi will become the first person to have run the length of Europe in one effort. And if that isn’t challenging enough, he plans to do it barefoot.
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So what persuaded him to take on such a mammoth feat of endurance? ‘I hope to inspire people to run, get outside and take on adventure more often, no matter how big or small,’ Kashefi told Runner’s World. ‘Having started running just under four years ago using the NHS Couch to 5K podcast, I wouldn’t ever have imagined I’d end up doing anything like last summer’s run and this is even more insane.’
He hopes to raise significant funds for charity along the way. ‘I’m raising money for Stroke Association and Mountain Rescue, as well as a small local charity called Thomas Thyer Foundation who are hoping to create an outdoor learning centre for young people who have dyspraxia and ADHD.’
The E1 Euro Trail runs through six countries from Nordkap in Norway to Palermo in Sicily. To achieve his goal Kashefi will need to cover an average distance of 30 miles a day with 8kg of kit on his back, and cross the Swiss Alps and the Apennine of Italy in winter while he’s at it.
‘It won’t be easy, it’s not been done before for good reason, as the terrain is tough, the seasons will change regardless of when I set off, and parts of the route aren’t marked! Really it’s about putting faith in your own ability to keep moving when you know that everything is going to be screaming at you to stop.'
Rhalou is a senior digital editor specialising in health and wellness with over eighteen years’ online and print publishing experience. Rhalou has worked at various health platforms including Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, Netdoctor, Women’s Running, Men’s Running, The Running Bug and Women’s Fitness. Covering everything from sexual health to fitness, parenting, marathon running and self-care, Rhalou loves creating fun and accessible lifestyle content and feels strongly about demystifying complex medical jargon and empowering people to better understand their health. Previously, Rhalou was a freelance social media specialist for several major sporting events and race listings including The London Marathon, Breca Swimrun, Findarace, The Westminster Mile and Prudential Ride 100. She has also been a reporter on a local newspaper in remote Scotland, penning breaking news stories about killer otters, cats stuck up trees and the Scottish hill racing scene. Over the years, Rhalou has been lucky enough to run 15 marathons and even a few ultra-marathons. She is still a passionate runner, but these days she can mostly be found at her local parkrun or chasing after her young son.
