Running around the world at 61: Rosie Swale-Pope
Dramatic life changes cause people to do dramatic things. Rosie Swale-Pope (no relation to author) took it to the extreme. When her husband died from prostate cancer, she decided to run around the world. Her plan was not some fleeting pipe-dream; she’s two-thirds of the way there.
She left early in October of 2003 at the age of 57 and has been journeying on her own two feet ever since. She has circled through Europe, Asia, Alaska, Canada, and is currently in Ohio. Her plan is to return to the start and finishing line at Tenby, her home in Wales.
Along the way, she has encountered everything from a “stark naked, gun wielding lunatic” in Siberia to the far more typical crowd of small-town schoolchildren waiting to celebrate her arrival with a “Welcome Rosie” banner in White Mountain, Alaska.
Adventure is nothing new to Rosie. In the early 1970s she, along with her husband and two young children, sailed around the world in a 30-foot catamaran. She has crossed Chile on horseback, run across the Sahara, and completed a 1,000 mile solo run across Iceland.
Her son James updates her website while she is on the road, receiving reports from her by satellite phone. On this website, she explains why running is her chosen method of world-exploration.
“Running can take you to places that do not exist if you travel in any other way. Maybe even more than walking, because you can get so exhausted, almost fail so every often, and are vulnerable and shaky. Sometimes when you are weakest, you can feel things the most strongly. This is when those you meet in the midst of their own difficult lives and situations, are not fearful of you. You treading gently through someone. else’s land; Part of the life going on all around you. Part of the people, places, sunrises, storms, terrors and joys; seeing, feeling, laughing, crying, in happiness or despair.”
As she explores the globe, Rosie is also raising funds for a variety of charities, including one that benefits prostate cancer research.
“Rosie’s around the world run adventure” is updated every Friday with reports from the road by Rosie as well as people who have encountered her along the way and their thoughts on her adventure.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Dear Rosie,
Read about you in the Bangor (ME) paper this AM and am in awe. What a good and satisfying thing to undertake. I liked your comments on fear and caution – common sense it all boils down to. I through-hiked the Appalachian Trail at age 54 w/ my husband in 1996. It was the experience of a lifetime. Your husband would be so proud. Good luck. Sue Crane
June 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
have followed your early experiences when you had the children, well done on carrting on and living kife to the full
June 16th, 2008 at 10:06 am
well done I followed your adventures when you had your children, keep up the good work.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hello Rosie, I met you very briefly this afternoon on the road from Fort William to Oban. You gave me the strength to cylce on today further than I’ve done before on my journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End. I’m in complete awe at what you have achieved and wish you a safe and happy journey on your last leg back home. Your enthusiasm, happiness and joyful smile left me feeling so positive for the rest of the day. I will carry these feelings for the rest of my trip. If ever I feel tired or down, I will think about your incredible journey and smile. Good luck!
July 6th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hello Rosie, I met you very briefly this afternoon on the road from Fort William to Oban. You gave me the strength to cylce on today further than I’ve done before on my journey from John O’Groats to Land’s End. I’m in complete awe at what you have achieved and wish you a safe and happy journey on your last leg back home. Your enthusiasm, happiness and joyful smile left me feeling so positive for the rest of the day. I will carry these feelings for the rest of my trip. If ever I feel tired or down, I will think about your incredible journey and smile. Good luck!
August 9th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Dear Rosie,
I love your first book, Children of Cape Hoorn.
I wish my best four your around the world run adventure!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:27 am
met you on the road passing Cheltenham on evening of25 May. We did 4 miles only I’m afraid. all the best. Simon Ackroyd
April 18th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
hello rosie,i have followed your wandering since ‘rosie darling’ you have given me many hours of facinating hours reading.my daughter to.thank you.keep up the running