Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you can’t find an answer below, please get in touch through our ‘contact us’ page.
Why are you doing this????!!!
It is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. With the Tropical Andes widely considered to me the most diverse region on the planet, containing one sixth of Earth’s plant life within less than one percent of its land area. The Cerrado woodland-savanna of Brazil, the Chilean Valdivian Forests and the east coast’s richly endemic Atlantic Forest are other vitally diverse biomes found on the continent.
South America’s species and habitats are also greatly threatened by human activity. We don’t want to see them disappear. We want to show people how we can all help them in our everyday actions wherever we are!
We also love running and adventure, so what better way of investigating how humankind are impacting South America’s habitats and what we can do to help than running the continent….?! So hopefully, through our sweat, tears and determination, we’ll open a portal into the last wilds of South America and rekindle people’s passion for our amazing natural world where ever they are. ”
Where did you get this crazy idea from?
We thought about walking from west to east through the Amazon, but then found out that a fellow Brit, Ed Stafford, was in the middle of doing it and doing it very well! We thought about walking the length of the continent and hacking a trail through the Amazon, as well as climbing an ancient tree in every continent, but after a couple of weeks in the Amazon on a unguided expedition, we soon worked out this would take us years not one year. Then there was running. Could our bodies with-stand months on end of pounding roads and trails whilst pulling our own kit? We are starting to find out….
Why the “5000MileProject.org” and not “challenge”?
What would you like people to know about the current situation in the Amazon?
There is also the insidious effect of roads and settlements carving the forest open to the illegal pet trade of endangered species, hunting of threatened species and introduction of invasive species such as cats, dogs and rats which prey on native wildlife. In addition, patches of extant forest are too small for species to live in and without a forest corridor to migrate through they cannot survive.
What other threatened habitats in South America should people be aware of?
While in Patagonia, in the deep south of the continent, overgrazing by sheep and cattle and extraction of ancient temperate rainforest is threatening magnificent natural grassland steppe habitats and species such as the endemic and critically endangered huemul deer and Andean condor and wonderfully charismatic guanaco and Southern mountain viscacha.
What needs to be done about these threatened habitats in South America?
We all benefit from these habitats in so many ways, whether through medicines, pollination, carbon sequestration, and much more (check out out ecosystem services page). They also provide homes for millions of amazing plants and animals, as well as homes for indigenous people.
Why did you choose to raise money for Conservacion Patagonica?
We finally met the couple one afternoon, with our first meeting held in a chicken coop! We felt we were speaking a similar language and on learning more about their latest project to create the Patagonia National Park in the Aysén region of Chile, we became determined to support their goal. Which is, “To donate a fully functional new park to the Chilean state with healthy ecosystems, thriving wildlife populations and outstanding visitor facilities. Our program [sic] to build capacity in conservation workers, educate local schoolchildren and engage neighboring [sic] communities build the base of knowledge and support that will allow the park to flourish in the future”.
Why did you choose to raise money for Armonia and BirdLife International?
Through BLI, we were introduced to their partner, Armonίa, Bolivia, who is achieving fantastic conservation results. Work such as buying, creating and managing the first blue-throated macaw reserve (a critically endangered macaw only found in Bolivia). The reserve, will not only conserve this extremely rare macaw, but also species such as the giant anteater and jaguar.
What do you mean by “unsupported”?
Are you running every mile or walking as well?
Are you running every mile barefoot or wearing shoes as well?
How much gear do you need and how will you carry it all?
David has created a specially designed trailer made from recycled materials and bamboo. The aim is to provide a flexible unit which can be disassembled and transported on our backs for certain sections of the route, distribute the weight as best we can do minimise shock loads and injury and provide greatest flexibility. See Blog for details.
What happens if one of you gets injured?
How do you keep in touch along the way?
If you have any ideas on how you could showcase your own technology through this expedition, please contact us on our contacts page
Isn't it going to be dangerous?
The advantage of running is that all we really need to continue is a pair of shoes and maybe not even that! . . . . . .
Where will you stay?
At times, if passing through towns for example, we may be forced to take lodgings but for the most part we’ll be in our little pod.
Most recent comments