The Great Norse Run
Cross Iceland by foot in 10 days
UNRACE noun (/un-reɪs/)
An event without competition, winners or losers. A nomadic migration for people who love adventure.
overview
Salam!
Welcome to an expedition like no other. Starting on the far-flung Afghan-Tajik border, you’ll be running, walking, or jogging about a marathon a day across Tajikistan to the border of China, through scenery that will make your heart sing.
En route, we’ll stay with local people, eat as locals eat, and experience life at the roof of the world. Expect new friendships, stunning views, heart-pumping climbs, and a glimpse into a totally different way of life. Top it off with restful nights looking out at the stars, giant mountains, and winding glaciers.
what happens
Leading you through this amazing land will be Clem and Sophie, both absolute powerhouses of positivity. This adventure, as with everything they do, is as radically inclusive as possible. It’s absolutely not a race; everyone goes at their own pace – 200 miles may seem like a long way, but as a tribe, we really can make it!
Expect new friendships, stunning mountain views, mild blowing vistas, and stays with the locals! Top it off with restful nights looking out at the stars and maybe even a wolf or two if we’re lucky!
your hosts
Tom Beard
Tom finds the awesome in everything and inspires those around him to achieve the previously unthinkable. Always looking for the next adventure, Tom passionately believes in the power of people, nature and positivity to overcome anything that faces us.
Nicola Soraghan
Nic has qualified to race for the Irish national team, but decided to turn that down to organise and lead collaborative and inclusive adventures in far-flung places around the world. Organised, pragmatic and loves bringing out the best in people.
schedule
Getting There
Prepare
The schedule doesn't include actually getting there (or back), so you'll need to get yourself to Dushanbe, Tajikistan first. You can arrive whenever you like, but there's a hotel with your name on it waiting for you the day before the event starts.
Day One
Start
Getting to the Bartang Valley is no small feat. Today we start our long bus journey to the valley entrance. We'll arrive and stay at the Afghan-Tajik border town of Rushan.
Day two
Siponj
Today we lace up our running shoes and wind our way along the Bartang River, staying in local village homestays along the way. Expect to see no more than one car per day and always locals. We're headed for the tiny town of Siponj.
Day three
Basid
Off to the equally small village of Basid today, through spectacular canyons and over beautiful passes. Glad it's all being filmed! Picnic lunch on route.
Day Four
Savnob
Run/walk to Savnob village, where we will see Lapnazar Peak (5990m), it's the only mountain in Tajikistan that you can see from top to bottom. Check out the Juniper trees and local way of life.
Day five
Ghudara Valley
Today we will enter Ghudara valley where the landscape opens out onto wide breathtaking plains. Today we reach an altitude of 3000m (nearly 9900ft) for the first time! And we're rewarded with epic views for our efforts.
Day six
Tanimas Valley
Today we'll run through the Tanimas Valley and ascend Kok-Jar pass; one of the most stunning parts of the trail. We climb 1000m (3300ft) today and break out the tents for the first night of wild camping next to a shephard's mud-brick hut.
Day seven
Dangi
Very wild camping (but with many home comforts) as we leave even the smallest villages behind. We might see Marco Polo sheep herds en-route and will pass next to a large meteorite crater.
Day eight
Karakul
Wild running in the middle of freakin' nowhere leads us to Karakul on the border of Kyrgystan and China. Here we'll leave the Bartang valley behind and join the legendary M41 Pamir Highway, finishing in Karakul.
Day nine
Celebration
We'll take a team bus over the high pass between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and drive to Osh. Here we will have our celebration dinner and drinks. You just ran across a freaking country!
experience Tajikistan in a way most travellers never will
If you want giant mountain ranges, vast remote valleys, real community, personal challenge — without the pressure of competition, you’ll love The Great Silk Run.
what’s included
What's Included
- Team Equipment
- Support Vehicles
- Accomodation & Homestays
- Food and Drink
- Transfers in Country
- Guides and Support
- Remote Regions Permit
What's not Included
- Personal Kit
- Personal Insurance
- Warm Sleeping Bag
- Accommodation After the Event
- Visas
- Plane Tickets
upcoming dates
The Great Silk Run
July 25 – Aug 05 2026
£3600
Pay only £360 deposit
faq's
Once you know you know
Am I fit enough for this expedition?
Most of the team will jog a bit and walk a bit. It’s not about who gets there first (we don’t even keep track), it’s about the whole team getting across Tajikistan. Last time there was a group of three who walked the whole thing.
Can I ask some questions?
Yes! Contact Nicola on nicola@runwild.global
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! You only need to put down a 10% deposit initially, then you can pay in any way you like, over a time scale that suits you.
Can I see some feature length documentaries about the event?
You can find a documentary created by Opal Films about our 2023 event by clicking here.
Can we enter as a team?
More than one person could sign up, so you can do the event with friends, but most people enter as solo runners (there’s normally a 60/40 female/male split) and then make life-long, like-minded friends on the journey.
get inspired
Watch the award winning film
kind words
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