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LONDON - More than three years after he finished an epic journey across six continents, Briton Robert Garside has been officially recognised as the first person to run around the world.
Garside, 40, who during his quest called himself the Runningman, yesterday received Guinness World Records' acknowledgment of his 48,000km six-year trek. "It feels very, very good indeed," Garside said. "I'm really happy about this, this run cost me everything," said the former London policeman who was jailed in China, shot at in Russia and chased by armed men in Mexico and Panama during the mega jog, which ended in New Delhi in 2003.
Garside has been dogged by accusations of cheating by endurance runners sceptical about a man who claimed to have run through jungles and across deserts with no support team.
Garside, who is planning a book and a film of his exploits, kept meticulous records, including eyewitness statements and more than 300 hours of video footage, which Guinness used to authenticate the run.
- REUTERS