Paweł Durakiewicz, a 45-year-old man from Poland, has achieved an extraordinary feat by completing the world’s longest barefoot journey, covering a staggering distance of 3,409.75 kilometers (2,118.72 miles) around the Iberian Peninsula without wearing any footwear.
Durakiewicz embarked on his remarkable journey from the south of France near the border with Spain. His route took him along the border before tracing the coastline of the peninsula in an anticlockwise direction, ultimately concluding in San José in the south of Spain. A portion of his route coincided with the renowned Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail.
Over the course of nearly six months, Durakiewicz traversed distances ranging from 20 to 50 kilometers (12-31 miles) each day, surpassing the entirety of the journey.
His remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record, set in 2021 by Dutchman Antonius Nootenboom, by an impressive 390 kilometers (242.3 miles).
Residing in the Sicilian countryside, Durakiewicz has predominantly walked barefoot for the past six years. To prepare for his record attempt, he rigorously trained by walking and running 10 kilometers every day for five months.
Despite encountering a few burns and cuts along the way, Durakiewicz reports that his feet sustained no serious injuries during the arduous trek. He endured the scorching heat of the asphalt roads during the initial month of his journey, with temperatures nearing 40°C (104°F). After treating his feet with gel extracted from an Aloe vera plant, he resorted to running to minimize direct contact with the hot surface.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced during the journey, Durakiewicz acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining motivation after surpassing the previous record. He also encountered unforeseen obstacles, including frequent encounters with law enforcement and navigating busy roads without pedestrian pathways.
During nights, Durakiewicz rested in a camper van driven by a friend who accompanied him throughout the journey. His diet primarily consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables, which he cooked in the van.
Motivated by a desire to support the Diamond Soul Foundation, a charity he co-founded that aids individuals in addiction recovery, Durakiewicz undertook this remarkable challenge. The foundation also hosts free one-week camps in Sicily for disadvantaged children.
Durakiewicz’s endeavor aimed to demonstrate that ordinary individuals can achieve extraordinary feats through dedication, self-discipline, and determination. Following his triumphant accomplishment, he expressed gratitude for realizing his childhood dream and for the opportunity to help others through his charitable efforts.
In his own words, Durakiewicz stated, “It feels great, and I made my childhood dream come true. Also, because of the addiction I almost destroyed myself and was at the very bottom, and now I have the record and I am helping others. We are a miracle to be discovered and not a problem to be fixed. I am very grateful that I could experience this trip.”
