A New Zealand woman has broken the world record for distance covered without sleeping.
Kim Allan, 47 set the new record of 500 sleepless kilometres in just four days, breaking the previous record held by American Pam Reed.
The mother of four completed the remarkable achievement after 86 hours without sleep, but it was not the first time she had attempted to break the record.
Last year Allan managed to run 375km, however was unable to continue on.
The Kiwi runner’s latest effort was successful though, raising over $7,000 for the New Zealand Spinal Trust.
“It’s all a bit surreal at the moment,” said the ultra-distance runner to the New Zealand Herald.
“I’m going through some of the Facebook things on my page and when you see posts about a New Zealand woman beating the world record, I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, that’s me they’re talking about.”
Allan’s triumph will not be officially recognised by Guinness World Records as they did not monitor her during the run, however she was supported by several others throughout the four days:
“It would be very hard for people to say that it didn’t happen or that I slept or I missed a lap because there was always people there.”
The success of the event has led organisers to consider an annual meeting called the Sleepless in Auckland Challenge, with the winner receiving the Kim Allan prize.
