Home again after epic 4900km run

Published 3:59pm 13 August 2023

Words by Nick Crockford

Guy’s home! After 11 weeks running coast-to-coast across Australia, 48-year-old Guy Schweitzer crossed the finishing line today at Scarborough Harbour Brewing.

On the final leg of his 4900km journey, Guy was joined by friends and running mates from Sandgate along Redcliffe’s foreshore and greeted by family at the venue he co-founded with wife Sonia.

The penultimate day was hard with Guy saying it was “one of the toughest days. More elevation than any other day and it was proper hot out there. Nothing was going to stop me getting it done today though and clocked up another 64km”.

And he finished today with 25kms by the waters of Moreton Bay arriving home mid-afternoon to be greeted by crowds, photographers and television cameras.

Guy's home - pictures click through

Luke Howarth, Federal Member for Petrie, was among the first to congratulate the director of MGN Civil on his achievement.

“Congratulations to @guys_home_run Guy Schweitzer who left Port Hedland WA on May 28 and arrived at Scarborough Harbour Brewing Co just now. A 4500km running journey in 78 days,” he posted.

Nicky Falconer said: “Truly insane and unbelievable! And yes he did this “just because”. You are truly and inspiration Guy! Bring it home rocket man!! Congratulations on amazing journey!”

Behind him was 78 days pounding along bitumen roads and remote dirt desert tracks rarely seeing traffic or travellers.

Through Australia’s remote interior, Guy was occasionally joined by a support crew, but often pulled a two-wheel cart with essential food and supplies.

Remarkably, he averaged more than 60kms a day, often reaching 70kms (75kms to reach the NT/Queensland border) when conditions underfoot and overhead allowed.

Every day updates were posted by Guy to Facebook and Instagram, with a succession of pictures, videos and video messages to an audience which lapped up his progress reports.

No rest days were planned or records to be broken. Guy took on the challenge because he wanted to. “This is more of an adventure.” Guy said.

There were some route changes due to unseasonabley wet weather in the outback and Guy reported some injuries, but nothing to stop him for more than one day.