British Runner Covers 1,100 Miles of Planned 4,700-Mile South America Run Despite Early Ankle Injury and Loss of Support Driver

Mike Humphreys has completed about 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of a planned 4,700-mile run the length of South America despite injuring his ankle early in the journey and losing his only support driver after two weeks. The runner from Hedon, near Hull, began the effort on 30 March in Ushuaia, near the southern tip of Argentina, to raise money for motor neurone disease research.

He ran 31 miles (50 km) on his first day.

On day five, 125 miles into the challenge, Humphreys' ankle started to swell. The day after injuring his ankle, he completed a 10-hour run while hobbling. By day 11 he had run the full length of the southern region of Tierra del Fuego.

The wind proved relentless. Humphreys described the wind as insane and facing it every day. "It's been wild... the wind here is insane," he said. "If I was in England running, there would be a different storm name every single day – the Met Office would run out of storm names.

Every day, it's on my face. " Just over two weeks into his journey, the sole member of his support team went home. Humphreys began hitchhiking, attempting to hitch a ride about 31 miles (50 km) up the road before running back to his van.

One day he was turned down by the drivers of 37 vehicles. He has also faced 100-mile diversions, being stopped by police and trying to find a safe place to park. Humphreys appealed on social media for someone to join him as part of his support crew.

He said his social media appeal was a success and he would soon have more help. Messages from strangers have helped sustain him. Humphreys said messages from strangers helped him stay focused and remember the cause.

He added that it had been a massive help. The personal trainer lost one friend to motor neurone disease in 2013. Carl "Gibby" Giblin died of motor neurone disease aged 32. Humphreys is now supporting a second friend, Craig Eskrett, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2023.

"It's been an emotional roller coaster the last three weeks," Humphreys said. " He added: "Whatever challenge I'm facing out here is nothing to what Craig is facing. " He explained the deeper motivation.

"You witness that, and once Craig announced he had motor neurone disease, it was just heartbreaking to see," Humphreys said. " Humphreys has a history of demanding charity efforts. He previously completed 30 marathons in 30 days, rode a Raleigh Chopper bike from Hull to the Alps, and ran more than three miles in a sauna.

He is now heading towards the Andes to tackle miles of bumpy gravel roads. Humphreys plans to run through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia. He originally thought the journey would last 200 to 250 days but now estimates it will take about 280 days.

Humphreys said the best aspect of the challenge so far had been knowing most people in the world are really friendly, warm and welcoming. "When you come out to places like South America, everyone warns you how dangerous the places are," he said.