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Run, Gump Suzuki, Run - 24th February 2025

A 6,400-kilometre dash across Africa's been the most recent challenge of Japanese rickshaw runner, Yuji Suzuki. This epic run, which started in Nairobi, makes a change from carrying sightseers on guided rickshaw tours around Tokyo.

No stranger to adventure, Suzuki crossed six African countries including Tanzania, Zambia, and Botswana before reaching Cape Town. However, Namibia's desert proved the greatest challenge.

Gump Suzuki: "So when I was crossing, like, Namibia - nothing everywhere. That's why it's very difficult to get water, to get food. I sleep outside every time, yeah. Man, that it's very good experience for me."

But this isn't Suzuki's first cross-countries run. Inspired by the film Forrest Gump and the title character's run across America, Suzuki pulled his 100-kilogram rickshaw from China to India in 2016. The following year, he ran 2,500 kilometres across Europe, by which time he'd adopted the nickname Gump Suzuki.

Between 2022 and 2023, Suzuki followed more closely in his fictional hero's footsteps by running 5,100 kilometres across the USA, before attempting this even greater challenge across Africa.

Gump Suzuki: "Ah yeah, running, running for fun. Actually, but I've been travel for nine years already. Yeah, I get the power from you guys. That's why I gonna to give you guys power too. Yeah, that's my life."

Suzuki's received support from local communities throughout his trip, particularly children coming out to join him. Meanwhile, the watchful gaze of lions and elephants has sometimes given him cause for concern. The public enthusiasm and support is witnessed by Alvyn Andrews, who joined Suzuki for the last leg of his journey through South Africa from the Namibian border.

Alvyn Andrews: "And I've been following Gump Suzuki from Namibia. I caught up with him when a guy stopped him - offered him water - just as he got out of, out of Namibia. And I've been following him all the way. And it's just amazing to see how the people in, in South Africa's, has, has just come out."

A run across South America's already on the cards for Suzuki next year. For the moment, he's just glad to have reached his goal in Africa and to show everyone his gratitude for their support.

Gump Suzuki: "Yeah, I, I just want to say many thanks to you guys. I couldn't make it so without, without you guys. That's why I really happy, yeah, to see you guys and then run you together until finish line. I, I just want to say thank you, thank you so much."