To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
A man who has been labelled the ‘British Forrest Gump’ has admitted he can’t feel his feet anymore after running an incredible 3,000 miles across America in just 56 days.
Former rugby player William Goodge ran from LA to New York City in less than two months, raising more than £50,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and The American Cancer Society.
William managed the incredible feat with the support of his ‘angel’ after his mother Amanda died five years ago from non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
He crossed the continent much like Forrest, the hero of 1994 film played by Tom Hanks.
Opening up on the success and raising awareness, William appeared on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, where he admitted he can no longer feel his own feet.
He shared: ‘It was funny, [my two blisters] came in the first five days, and I dealt with them.
‘But because I’d done this kind of thing before, not 3,175 miles, but my feet are incredibly tough.
William Goodge ran more than 3,000 miles across America (Picture: ITV)
His run took just 56 days (Picture: ITV)
‘Interestingly, I’ve noticed since I’ve finished, I can’t really feel my feet.
‘There’s so many calluses on the bottom of my feet and on my toes that there’s deep feeling in there, but nothing on the surface.
‘I’ve got no tickly feet, basically.’
The 29-year-old, who had to eat 7000 calories a day and stopped every six hours for a meal, added that he saw all weather forms throughout his run, aside from ‘hurricanes and snowfall’.
‘We kind of went through it all,’ he said, adding that the extreme weather conditions were ‘crazy’.
‘Like the film, it was also a lot of fun,’ he continued, highlighting the sights he saw along the way.
‘I’ve got no tickly feet, basically.’ (Picture: ITV)
Coming across the likes of coyotes and snakes, William revealed he saved animals from near death on the roads, saying he felt like a ‘reincarnated’ Steve Irwin.
William elsewhere spoke about how running became an outlet for him to cope following the death of his mum.
He said: ‘Running became my version of therapy, I wasn’t good at talking about it.’
But with an ‘angel by my side’, he knew there was ‘never a moment’ he was going to stop.
‘I was confident the whole way through and ready for whatever was going to come,’ he added.
And now, after a much-needed rest, William is even planning a run across Europe, saying the diversity and culture through the continent interests him.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Tom Hanks confirms Forrest Gump 2 was discussed but talks ‘lasted all of 40 minutes’
‘My feet are incredibly tough.’