Royal Navy Commando Fred Stokes, who served in Bahrain in 2023, has set off on an ambitious challenge to run more than 22,000km around the world.
If successful, he would become the youngest person to traverse the globe on foot, according to the World Runners Association (WRA).
Over the next two and a half years, the 31-year-old plans to run across five continents, raising funds for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), with more than £1,000 (BD504) already raised.
Mr Stokes began his journey on December 16 at the Spean Bridge Commando Memorial in Scotland, supported by his longtime friend and former colleague Ryan Truzzi-Franconi.
The 33-year-old will oversee daily logistics throughout the expedition, including route planning, calorie intake and run management.
The pair, who have known each other for around 14 years and joined the Royal Navy together in 2011, converted an old police van into a fully equipped mobile home, complete with air conditioning, diesel heating, double beds and cooking facilities.
“This is something I had been thinking about doing for a long time, but I wasn’t sure how to plan it or if I could get the time off,” Mr Stokes told the GDN from Northern Lincolnshire.
“The idea really took shape when I caught up with Ryan. He was immediately enthusiastic and eager to join me on this journey.
“He plans the route and drives the van to each meet-up point, while I run the distance to catch up. At the moment, I’m running around 20km a day.”
Mr Stokes, who is from Hertfordshire, added that the Royal Navy was very supportive, allowing him two-and-a-half years of unpaid leave and assuring him that his position would be there when he came back.
The planned route will take the pair across Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Australia, North America, South America and Iceland, before returning to the UK.
Their goal is to reach Bahrain by September, where Mr Stokes intends to run across the entire island in just one day.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to the kingdom, where I lived for around six months in 2023,” Mr Stokes said. “It is a time I look back on fondly. I even flew my parents out to visit so they could experience it. Once we arrive, I plan to run the island in a single day.”
When asked about his preparation, he said his time in the Royal Navy, combined with his experience in ultramarathon running, has provided a strong foundation of fitness.
However, he acknowledged that the challenge will remain difficult regardless of how much preparation has been undertaken.
For Mr Truzzi-Franconi, who resides in Kent, the expedition holds a special significance, serving as a personal journey to regain his fitness after being medically discharged from the Royal Navy during the Covid-19 pandemic due to nerve damage in his hands. He has also been dealing with health issues caused by smoke inhalation after rescuing someone from a burning car.
“All of this unfortunately led to me losing my partner and stability,” he said, adding that taking on the role as team leader has given him a new lease of life.
“I hope by the end of the trip I will eventually be able to run alongside Fred, but for now there are many daily tasks to manage and a strict schedule to follow,” he said.
Along the way, the pair has faced a couple of challenges.
“I sold my house to do this,” Mr Stokes said, adding that he and Ryan are relying on their life savings to fund the journey.
“The weather also hasn’t been easy and can make daily tasks and the running more challenging.”
Despite the challenges, they have been welcomed by locals along the route, often invited in for a hot meal and shower.
For Mr Stokes, he hopes the journey will inspire young people to challenge themselves. “I would be over the moon if someone took on a similar challenge, inspired by this,” he explained. “People should push boundaries, overcome adversity and realise just how strong they can be.”
Mr Truzzi-Franconi echoed this sentiment, saying he is proud to see Fred push through the expedition, while focusing on his own physical and mental health.
“I was extremely fit and lost it all,” he revealed. “This journey is about regaining that strength, both physically and mentally.”
They are urging sponsors to come on board, as any support would make the journey much more manageable.
The RNRMC is a charity for the UK’s Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families by funding welfare projects and boosting morale.
The charity also provides grants to other naval charities for essential support such as mental health services, family support and assistance during times of need.
The current record-holder for the youngest person to run around the world is Danish athlete Jesper Kenn Olsen, who completed 16,307 miles (26,243km) in 2005, according to the WRA. He was 32 when he started the challenge and completed it at the age of 33 on October 23, 2005.
Follow their journey on Instagram @earth.strider.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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