Epic South America MND challenge nearly completed

A man attempting to run the length of South America to raise awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) is about a month away from completing his challenge.

Mike Humphreys, from Hedon, near Hull, set off from Argentina in March and is now about 40 days from reaching the northern tip of Colombia.

Despite recording a record-breaking 160 consecutive 50km runs, he said the challenge was "nothing compared with what people living with MND face every day".

Humphreys, who is no stranger to extreme challenges, said he would continue with them until a cure is found.

Having lost one friend to the condition in 2013, he is now supporting a second, Craig Eskrett, who was diagnosed in 2023.

He told BBC Radio Humberside: "Craig has inspired me every step of the way. The way he has adapted to everything MND has thrown at him is incredible, and honestly, if it wasn't for him, I would probably have given up by now.

"What I'm putting myself through is nothing compared with what people living with MND face every day. That's what keeps me going through the altitude sickness, the food poisoning and all the tough days on the road."

He added: "This isn't about me or about breaking world records. It's about doing everything I can for people affected by motor neurone disease, and raising awareness until we find a cure."

Humphreys, a personal trainer, was supposed to start the trip last year but was delayed when his van and running equipment were stolen.

After getting a new van, he started his challenge on 30 March in Ushuaia, near the southern tip of Argentina, and ran 50km (about 31 miles) on his first day.

He said he had since completed more than 200 consecutive days without a break, running at least the distance of a marathon each day.

He has previously ridden about 1,000 miles (about 1,600km) across Europe on a Chopper bike, ending at Val Thorens in the French Alps.

He has also run 30 marathons across Europe in 30 days.

Humphreys' other challenges, which his followers on Instagram help him to choose, have included running a marathon in ski boots and climbing a mountain wearing only flip-flops and swimming trunks.

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