An England cricket supporter, from Cheshire, has completed a “brutal” 166 kilometre run across Sydney after Joe Root’s performance in the Ashes series left him facing his toughest endurance test yet.
Charlie Smith, known online as chasingcharlie, ran the distance in one continuous effort from Bondi to Manly and back, setting off at 19.00 on Wednesday 14 January and running through the night.
The challenge was the culmination of a pledge he made ahead of the series: to run one kilometre for every run scored by Root during the Ashes, in aid of Save the Children UK.
“I was always coming out here for the whole five Tests.
I was just like, why not run a load of kilometres as well?
Why not put myself in more pain?
If watching England was not already enough pain.”
Root’s final Test innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, 160 in the first innings, followed by six more in the second, confirmed the single biggest distance Smith would face during the series.
When Root reaches three figures, England supporters usually celebrate.
For Charlie, it meant lacing up his trainers and heading out onto the road for another long run.
The choice of Root was deliberate.
“He is the GOAT, simple.
I thought he was going to hit the most runs. Turned out that way, luckily.
“Maybe I should have done Travis Head?”
The idea was announced on his social media in November, before a ball had been bowled, with the 24-year-old standing outside Optus Stadium in Perth.
“I am taking on my biggest challenge yet…
For every run that Joe Root scores in this year’s Ashes, I will run one kilometre across Australia.
Yes. Even if he has the series of a lifetime… hopefully he does.
All of this is for a brilliant cause, as I will be raising money and awareness for Save the Children UK.”
After the opening Test, the challenge appeared manageable.
Root was dismissed for 0 in the first innings and 15 in the second, keeping Charlie’s early mileage to a minimum.
That quickly changed…
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