Driven by a promise to his mum to “do one thing in your life that makes a difference,” Rob Pope set out to achieve something extraordinary: the longest run in United States history.
Over 15,621 miles, through 43 states, in 422 days, and with 33 pairs of shoes, Rob persevered, finally returning home “pretty tired” but triumphant, with his feet (just about) intact.
Rob Pope’s incredible journey didn’t stop there. A two-time world record holder, he was the 2015 Australian Men’s Marathon champion and the top northern European finisher in the gruelling Marathon des Sables—the toughest desert race in the world. He also became the first person to run across Ireland in a single day, with even more awe-inspiring challenges on the horizon.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Rob is a proud father, a veterinarian, and the author of the best-selling HarperCollins book Becoming Forrest. He also hosts Red Bull’s acclaimed podcast How to Be Superhuman, where he explores the extraordinary feats of others who dare to dream big.
Rob now channels his expertise into inspiring others, sharing lessons in resilience, focus, and the power of embracing challenges. Through talks tailored to athletes, students, corporate teams, and public sector organisations, he empowers audiences to push boundaries and achieve their own extraordinary goals.
An engaging and motivational speaker, Rob has delivered his transformative message to organisations such as Zoetis, WWF, Armis, and Vets4Pets, as well as schools and universities across the UK. His energy, insight, and humour encourage others to “Be More Forrest” and unlock their potential to create a better future—whether on the track, in the workplace, or in life.
Rob Pope is Britain’s most “ultra” ultrarunner. He is also the real-life Forrest Gump, running 5 times across the USA (15,621 miles in 422 days!) before he hung up his shoes.
Don’t worry, he’s not going to try and persuade you to run across a continent, but he will explain how his mammoth journey parallels the road your organisation wishes to travel. He will give you the confidence to get to your start line, persevere through both the mundane and seemingly insurmountable obstacles and when the end is in sight, maintain the focus required to reach your goal.
Rob Pope has travelled a long and winding road. From losing his mum at a young age, to becoming a veterinarian, he became the Australian marathon champion and eventually emulated Forrest Gump, running 5 times across the USA. Rob is now bringing you the lessons he learnt taking over 50 million footsteps that enabled him to adapt to and succeed in his changing world. Key to this was the realisation that there is ALWAYS a work around. Let him find yours.
You may not believe this of somebody who has run over 15,600 miles in less than a year and a half, but Rob Pope is an inherently lazy person. Given the chance, he likes nothing better than to kick back and watch the world go by. He is, however, also a serial winner and knows that this approach wasn’t going to get him fifty miles down the road every day. To achieve the seemingly impossible, he has developed techniques that get even the arch procrastinator on the move. Rob is here to create both an individual and a collective culture of achievement in your organisation. You just need to take that first step.
Rob gave two engaging talks for a speaker stream I organised at London Vet Show in 2019. He opened our lecture program with stories of his record-breaking epic runs across the USA, and closed it with a Q&A. He attracted a full house for both talks and effectively connected with the audience sharing his unique experiences, through his passionate and inspiring story telling. I’d highly recommend him as a speaker, he was professional to work with from planning to presenting.
We were thrilled to have Rob as a guest speaker at the Armis VeloCup. Rob got involved with our guests through the day and delivered a truly heart warming, inspiring and funny talk. His presence was the highlight of the event and everyone wanted a signed book to take home with them. Highly recommend.
Inspirational Athletes connects schools & communities with elite athletes who inspire, motivate and engage young people through talks, workshops and sports sessions.
Address:
Stratford-Upon-Avon, CV37 1RD
Phone:
020 7993 2724
Inspirational Speakers has been providing high profile keynote speakers and entertainers for over 25 years.
