these are the words of anthony, a long-time friend of 4T2. he just completed a grand adventure spanning two continents and seven countries. all for a good cause. we'll let him tell it.
senegal → mauritania → western sahara → morocco → spain → france → germany. 6,500 kilometres. 55 days. two pairs of shoes.
this journey was a grand adventure, one that took us across two continents and through seven countries. in a team of 4 through africa, then in a team of 2 through europe. so many impressions, emotions, adventures.
we set off in senegal, specifically in kaolack, at the educational complex and school built there by the elhadj-diouf-foundation. it was truly special to kick off the first few hundred metres of our adventure alongside the children and students there. senegal continued to be a wonderful experience throughout. in dakar, we even met the german ambassador to senegal and ran with him.
the other stages of the journey also brought their own special encounters and highlights. in mauritania, for instance, it was the drivers, both of cars and trucks, who would drive alongside us or even stop to offer us water in the heat. and that was the truly special part: beyond the incredible landscapes of each country, it was the people we met who made the entire undertaking so extraordinary and memorable. people who supported us, whether by running with us, offering directions, sharing stories, or simply offering a smile. these encounters with different people and cultures made our project something truly unique.
shoe tinkering, or rather, shoe modification: converting the 4T2 sayonara into a desert shoe.
the sayonara was my top pick from the 4T2 range for the run across africa and europe. it promised all the trail-specific features and capabilities of the 'get lost.' model but with a 'faster' and 'lighter' running feel.
however, for the desert our project took us through senegal, mauritania, western sahara, and morocco. it was advisable to make the shoe 'sand-proof' in some way. so, i had a cobbler professionally sew velcro strips onto the shoes. these allowed me to attach sand gaiters securely enough to ensure no sand could get inside.
a good idea, though, in reality, unnecessary for our run. after all, for the most part, we ran on highways and roads. nevertheless, i really came to appreciate sayonara. they performed brilliantly, especially off-road, providing enough stability and forward momentum to conquer the daily distances.
i eventually alternated sayonara with the classic 4T2 sundays. i’ve known and worn that model since it first hit the market. i knew i could rely on them, even when my feet were feeling the strain or fatigue of daily running. plus, they are incredibly comfortable.
i ended up running through senegal, mauritania, western sahara, morocco, spain, and france in these two pairs of shoes. once i reached germany, i had some spare sayonara available, but i had grown so accustomed to the other two pairs that i wore them right to the very end, including for the final stretch into the stadium in osterode am harz. and yes, the direct side-by-side comparison between the 'africa' sayonara and the new pair really speaks volumes. and it’s funny, too.
and so it doesn't get forgotten: i wore the "get lost" bucket hat the entire way. :)
we undertook this journey for two causes: the elhadj diouf foundation, which is deeply committed to education in senegal and built an entire educational complex there, and the sternenlichter children's and youth hospice in göttingen. on the final day of our 55-day journey, we visited the hospice in göttingen. it was a deeply emotional experience, seeing firsthand the cause and the people for whom we had travelled such a long way, and witnessing how the aid reaches those in need and how much support is still required. words can hardly describe the moment we finally crossed the finish line. in osterode am harz, we entered a stadium where more than 1,500 people were waiting to accompany us on the final stretch, people who had participated in a charity run that same day, completing lap after lap for our cause.
in the end, we covered the distance from senegal, through mauritania, western sahara, morocco, spain, and france, to germany in 55 days. on foot. for a good cause. to support people in need of our help.
this great adventure would not have been possible without the support and quick assistance provided by 4T2. so, thank you.
step by step, we can make a real difference.
donation page: 6,500 kilometres for a good cause
sternenlichter children's and youth hospice göttingen: sternenlichter-goettingen.de
elhadj diouf foundation: elhadj-diouf-foundation.de