Former Brisbane lawyer Tim Franklin completes epic 26,232km run around the world

He’s run the equivalent of 622 marathons on an epic 26,232-kilometre global odyssey, but ex-Brisbane lawyer Tim Franklin had to put his adventure on hold for 10 emotional days after just four months.

On the long roads near Madrid, at Pinto.

After 19 gruelling months running across the world, Tim Franklin will cross the finish line in Brisbane this weekend having covered the equivalent of 622 marathons.

The 41-year-old former Brisbane lawyer set off in December 2022 and on Sunday will end his journey at South Bank Parklands having run 26,232 kilometres across 19 countries and five continents.

His journey included in New Zealand, USA, South America, Europe (Lisbon to Istanbul), Asia (Kuala Lumpur to Malaysia and Singapore), and back to Australia (Perth to Brisbane).

“It’s been the world’s greatest roller coaster ride,” Mr Franklin said.

Brisbane lawyer turned extreme endurance athlete Tim Franklin has spent the past 19 months circumnavigating the globe on foot. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The memorable moments have been the people I’ve met along the way, and some of the places I’ve seen that are so far off the beaten track.

“People have always been willing to offer help in some way, I found the less the people had, the more they are seemingly willing to give, the generosity of people has been unbelievable.”

While he will fall short of his original goal to break the record and complete the run in 434 days, Mr Franklin “really excited” to finish after “such a long road” – 576 days on Sunday.

He put his run on hold after just four months and flew home after his father was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Tim Franklin outside Buckingham Palace.

He spent 10 days with his father before he died, and during that time his father urged him to “go back and finish that damned run”.

Mr Franklin concedes there were times when he thought about bowing out.

“It got really cold in Germany and I was injured, my right hip basically stopped working and I had no feeling in my right leg … thankfully it did fix itself,” he said.

Brisbane man Tim Franklin on his run across the world in Vienne, France in October 2023. Photo: Instagram @timmyrfranklin

The endurance athlete was at once far from peak physical fitness, weighing in at 120kg.

“I just disrespected my body and then about 20 years ago a mate suggested we start moving and do a run and a triathlon. I fell in love with running and I haven’t stopped since,” he said.

Mr Franklin is inviting everyone to join him on his final run along the Brisbane River on Sunday, starting at New Farm Park at 9.30am and finishing in Southbank around 11.30am.

At the Rhine Falls (Europe’s Largest Waterfalls) in Switzerland in November 2023. Photo: Instagram @timmyrfranklin”

“I’m not running as well as I was at the start, I think I’ve learned that the body can tolerate a lot and it knows when to push and when to look after itself,” he said.

“Yes, I’m tired, but I feel like I could keep going if I had to.

“I’ll let my body recover after this, but I really want to push the message of movement and the importance of everyone’s health and wellbeing.”

Along the way, Mr Franklin’s GoFundMe has raised around $37,000 for three charities – Inspiring Brighter Futures, Lung Foundation Australia, and Wings For Life.