SUMMIT to SYDNEY

Considered by many as the fittest man on the planet, American ultra-athlete Dean Karnazes is set to test his strength down under, with a staggering 560 km run in May.

The project is collaboration between Karnazes and major sponsor, The North FaceŽ in Australia - the world’s premier supplier of outdoor apparel, footwear and equipment. Karnazes will also be aiming to raise funds through this momentous feat, with all donations going to the Starlight Foundation.

"I am involved with several charities in the US, including my own organization Karno’s Kids. The Starlight Foundation does inspirational work with children here in Australia, and I want to do as much as I can to support that."

The 42 year old endurance athlete will visit Australia to run from the foot of Mt Kosciusko to the summit, back through Charlotte Pass, and then on to Sydney. A total of 560km, Karnazes will cover over 110km per day for 5 days, on a variety of terrain, to achieve his goal of completing the “The North FaceŽ Summit to Sydney”. Running from the Kosciuszko National Park, through the Shoalhaven and Royal National Park and into Sydney. Finally finishing in Martin Place at the North FaceŽ Store, Karnazes will take in some of the most diverse and spectacular country in Australia.

Having previously lived in Australia, Karnazes feels close ties with the people and the country, "I have many friends and family in Australia, and I look forward to spreading the spirit of adventure and human potential across the Pacific."

Karnazes is widely recognised as an icon of endurance sports, having won the ‘Badwater Ultramarathon’, amongst a string of prestigious accomplishments. Run through 135 miles of Death Valley in California, the Badwater is considered the toughest foot race in the world. His unique quest to push his body to breaking point has made Karnazes a household name in the US, having appeared on 60 minute and The Late Show with David Letterman. Most recently, he completed 50 marathons, in all 50 states of America, in 50 consecutive days. What’s more, when he finished his final marathon in New York, in 3:00 hours flat, he decided to keep going and run home across the country to San Francisco. After covering 2,100km, he had a change of direction.
"I would have kept going, but my wife said if i wasn’t home for Christmas, there would be major trouble! So when I reached St Louis, I hopped on a plane and high-tailed it home!"