Extreme Athletes 2024: Pushing boundaries or genius?

Extreme Athletes 2024: Pushing boundaries or genius?

Have you ever dreamed of walking the entire length of Africa? Or reaching the summit of Mount Everest three times in less than two weeks?

A look at endurance athletes

Endurance athletes often seem to have "a very different wiring," as ultrarunner and Outside columnist Brendan Leonard explains to CNN Sport. "Many of us go through life afraid of failing, especially as we get older. We don't want to fail, and we don't want to be bad at anything. However, these people accept the possibility of failure and try anyway. The reason we write stories about them now is because they didn't fail - they actually succeeded."

The motivation to push boundaries

The need to test our limits, no matter the challenge, is a feeling that most people can relate to. Still, not everyone will be able to surf the biggest waves, be the first African cyclist to win a stage of the Tour de France or the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons. Leonard explains, "I think everyone understands the motivation of finding something you think is impossible or a person you think is invincible and then chasing after it."

Russ Cook: The man who walked all over Africa

Just before Christmas 2023, Russ Cook set himself an unimaginable challenge: running the entire length of Africa. His plan included 360 marathons in 240 days. 352 days after setting off from South Africa, Cook finally reached the Tunisian coast and completed his epic odyssey. The endurance athlete known as the “Hardest Geezer” battled injuries and illness, dealt with logistical nightmares and even found himself lost in the jungle to complete his mission and run over 10,000 miles.

Jasmin Paris: The first woman to run the Barkley Marathons

Jasmin Paris achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first woman to complete the 100+ mile Barkley Marathons. Despite her long list of injuries, including tendonitis in her knee and several painful wounds on her arms and legs, she finished the race, known for its brutally challenging course. Before this year, only 17 men – and no women – had completed all five loops of the race.

Lachlan Morton: The fastest cyclist around Australia

It took Lachlan Morton 30 days, 9 hours and 59 minutes to complete a complete circuit around Australia - over 14,200 kilometers - and return to his hometown of Port Macquarie. During his journey he had to endure brutal wind, extreme temperatures and dangerous traffic.

Lael Wilcox: The fastest woman in the world around the world

In September, Lael Wilcox broke the world record for the fastest woman to cycle around the world, crossing 21 countries and 18,125 miles in three months and a week. After 108 days, Wilcox returned to Chicago, closing the previous record of 124 days and 11 hours set in 2018.

Kilian Jornet: record holder for ascents of the Alps

Spanish mountain runner Kilian Jornet climbed all 82 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps in just 19 days, entirely under his own steam, using a combination of mountaineering, trail running and cycling. During this time he covered an impressive 1,207 kilometers and an altitude difference of 75,344 meters.

Purnima Shrestha: Climb Everest three times

Purnima Shrestha created history by climbing Mount Everest three times in one season this year - in just 13 days. The Nepalese climber and photojournalist described how exhausted her body was and how she often thought of giving up but felt motivated by her dream.

Sebastian Steudtner: The surfer of the “unsurfable” wave

Sebastian Steudtner of Germany may have broken his own record for the biggest wave ever ridden. This wave, measured at the famous surf spot Nazaré in Portugal, could be 28.57 meters. If the record is confirmed, it would surpass Steudtner's previous record of 26.21 meters from 2020.

Biniam Girmay: History in cycling

Biniam Girmay made history at this year's Tour de France by becoming the first black African rider to win a stage. He wants other black riders to succeed in cycling and highlights the importance of investing in African cycling.