Ultra-marathon legend Patrick Farmer from Australia, today announced his decision to run from Kanyakumari to Srinagar in an attempt to highlight and raise funds for educating the girl child in India.
Through his run, titled the 'Spirit of India', Farmer is attempting to go a distance of 4600 kilometers across 10 states in 60 days, beginning on January 26 next year.
"My main goal behind this run is to try and support girls' education. It is something that I feel strongly about and I believe every girl should have access to basic literary skills as education is the way to change their world and ours," Farmer said.
Incidentally January 26, which is celebrated as Republic Day here is also celebrated as Australia Day in the island nation.
The 53-year-old world record holder in long distance and endurance running is set to commence the run from southern-most point at Kanyakumari and will move upwards along the western coast to Member progressing to Agra and Delhi, finally culminating his journey at Srinagar at the end of two months.
Farmer says he aims to run an average distance of two marathons, which is 80 kms every day without taking any off.
"This run by a remarkable Australia known for his endurance abilities is yet another step in strengthening relations between our two countries, particularly people-to-people to people links," Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling said.
"India's culture and colour are admired by Australians. The country's rich diversity will be captured by a film crew as Pat runs the length of India, allowing us to see and share his experiences," he said.
At different points of his run, the former member of
Australian parliament is also scheduled to address sessions to create awareness on educating the girl child.
Farmer who lost his first wife a short while after their marriage and had to bring up his children on his own for the next 15 years said, "I have realised the importance of women in the society and the importance of mothers to our children.
"Mothers are the first educators of our kids. So, if the mothers can't read and write, then the whole nation goes backwards and if they can, then the whole country moves forward," he said.
Besides supporting the cause of girls' education in India, Farmer's run also aims to promote goodwill, friendship and trade between India and Australia.
"Through this run I hope to increase the trade relations between the two countries and to improve the friendship relationships at a very grassroot levels, so that Australians feel comfortable to travel to India for holidays, tourism destinations, for the opportunity to see the rich vibrant culture that India has to offer and also for Indians to have the same opportunities back in Australia," he said.
The run aims to raise funds for girl's initiative through Mahindra's 'Nanhi Kali' programme. The initiative has been sponsored by the Adani group.
Previously Farmer had raised more than A$ 100,000 for Red Cross International's clean water programs and in 2014 he ran more than 1300 km in two weeks through the Middle East to raise money and awareness for peace initiatives in the region.
