William Goodge has just achieved something extraordinary.
In an astonishing display of endurance, he crossed the Australian continent on foot in only 35 days. Yes, he ran from Perth’s Cottesloe Beach to Sydney’s Bondi Beach. He literally ran across Australia.
That’s 3,800km, or the equivalent of running two and a half marathons a day.
His feet bled, his bones ached, and yet, he endured. His story has captured hearts not just because of the physical feat, but because of the emotional force behind it.
The run was dedicated to his late mother, Amanda, who passed away from cancer in 2018.
Goodge’s motivation and mindset carried him through deserts, dust storms, injury, and hallucinations.
He ran with rotting toes, battled insomnia, and averaged over 100km a day.
“It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done,” he told the press, noting that the first nine days nearly broke him. But he kept going, driven by a sense of purpose and supported by a team that carefully managed his food intake, hydration, and schedule.
I’m taking a moment to reflect on this. It’s just astonishing.
One factor stands out to me, one that rarely makes headlines, is this.
Our body’s biomechanical integrity.
Beneath the stories of torn blisters and mental barriers is a truth that often gets overlooked in endurance sports.
Goodge’s body didn’t just survive this monumental task. It performed, day in and day out, under some of the harshest physical demands a human can face.
And I think that speaks volumes about the condition of his musculoskeletal system.
Looking into biomechanics, we are referring to how the body moves. That is, how bones, muscles, and joints work together to absorb shock, maintain balance, and allow efficient movement.
For endurance athletes like William Goodge, biomechanics becomes even more vital.
You see, repeating a movement like running, tens of thousands of times a day, leaves no room for error or being ‘off balance’. Any issue in gait, misaligned hips, or restricted joint mobility can seriously impact performance or lead to injury.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I know just how important good biomechanics are. Here is some background info on chiropractic.
Chiropractors are trained to assess and support healthy biomechanics.
Many people often think of chiropractors for back pain, but there is a lot more to it then that. It’s also about caring for the entire musculoskeletal system. Helping it move well, function efficiently, and recover appropriately.
Hands on techniques like chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, and movement pattern assessments can help maintain joint mobility, reduce muscle strain, and improve overall function.
It’s about performance.
In a journey like Goodge’s, there’s no way he could have averaged 100km a day without his body moving effectively.
His knees, hips, spine, ankles all needed to absorb repetitive force and still allow smooth, coordinated motion.
Even for those of us not running across a continent, the principles remain the same.
Good movement matters. Whether it’s for walking the dog down here in Marrickville, lifting at work, or training for a weekend run.
Issues in the musculoskeletal system can lead to inefficient movement patterns, which in turn may contribute to discomfort or injury over time.
I think that William Goodge’s run is a story of resilience, emotion, and triumph.
And I think it’s a reminder of something else. What our bodies are capable of more, its more than we realise. What I love to see everyday is helping patients to get out of pain. And to see their bodies moving the way we are designed to.
While I take a moment to celebrate Goodge’s record-setting effort and the powerful story behind it, let’s also take a moment to appreciate the power within us all.
Whether you’re a world-record runner or just trying to move through life more comfortably, healthy biomechanics matter.
And supporting that, from posture to movement, is where chiropractic care fits in.
Table of Contents
Highlights of William’s Achievement
- Set a new world record by running 3,800km across Australia from Perth to Sydney in just 35 days, averaging over 100km per day.
- Raised over $20,000 for the Cancer Council of Australia in honour of his mother, contributing to more than US$250,000 raised globally for cancer charities.
- Previously recognised as the fastest British man to run across the United States, completing the journey from Los Angeles to New York in 55 days.
Disclaimer: This article is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
Author: Dr Kirsten Strudwick (Chiropractor) is a Doctor of Chiropractic with 15+ years of experience in Marrickville, Sydney, and runs Marrickville Chiropractic Care. Holding a BSc and M.Chiro from Macquarie University, her practice focuses on holistic, patient-centred care. Kirsten has a clinical interest in a range of areas including women’s health, paediatric care, and pregnancy-related treatments.
