Karl Bushby’s 28-year walk across the world is ending. A look at the trek, by the numbers

Karl Bushby is nearing the completion of a monumental trek he embarked upon in 1998, a journey that has spanned 28 years thus far. At the outset, Bushby was 29 years old, and today, at 57, he is nearing his mother's home in Hull, England. Over the course of his adventure, Bushby traversed challenging landscapes, including shifting ice over the Bering Strait, swimming across the Caspian Sea, and crossing the English Channel.

His odyssey has encompassed diverse environments, from dangerous jungles and rainforests to deserts and frozen tundra.

Initially, Bushby projected the journey would take five years, but reality proved far more daunting, ultimately resulting in a trek lasting more than 28 years. This extended duration translates to over 10,220 days spent on the road. During his travels, Bushby passed through or entered 30 foreign countries, including challenging crossings in Russia and Iran due to geopolitical conflicts. He spent a decade in Russia, facing detention and deportation for illegal entry after crossing the Bering Strait.

In addition to the physical and logistical challenges, Bushby's journey has been marked by personal trials, including two significant romantic relationships that ended due to the demands of the road. Despite these hardships, Bushby has maintained a remarkable spirit, continuing his trek through South America, North America, Asia, and Europe, visiting all but three of the world's seven continents.

Throughout his journey, he has walked an estimated 10,000 5K road races, covering a total distance equivalent to 50,000 kilometers.