National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year honours extraordinary achievements in the fields of exploration, adventure sports, conservation and humanitarianism within the past 12 months. This year ’s theme was ‘Trailblazers’, with each participant achieving something unique, groundbreaking and game-changing in their activity
The ultramarathon runner MIRNA VALERIO
A runner, author and educator, Mirna has faced racism, sexism and body shaming, and is dedicated to challenging stereo types around who is and isn’t an athlete.
ADVENTURE IS DOING SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ORDINARY LIFE.
Whatever that thing is, it fires up your soul, spirit and imagination, and brings the ordinary into perspective.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE MEMORIES OF RUNNING IS… running a five-mile section of the [Georgia] Sky to Summit with my friend Amy. I hadn’t planned on accompanying her, because I was still recovering from the Javelina Jundred 100k. It was pretty technical and I discovered that my body could keep moving on tough terrain. We ran some sections pretty fast (well, fast for me), and I was amazed at my ability to move as though I hadn’t just done the most difficult thing of my life. It was also autumn and the colours of the forest were spectacular. Afterwards we went to a local restaurant and had a sumptuous brunch that included pumpkin waffles and maple syrup. While we were eating, Amy said: “This is how life should be. Run trails with friends. Eat. Repeat.”
THE CLOSEST I’VE COME TO ROCK BOTTOM IS WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK A WHILE AGO.
Everything I’d done to create a life for me and my family that I was proud of suddenly came into question — why was I doing all of this if it only meant I was slowly killing myself? Suddenly, everything came into perspective.
BEING A PERSON OF COLOUR IN THIS FIELD IS LIKE MOST OF THE REST OF MY LIFE.
Esta historia es de la edición Adventure September 2018 de National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Esta historia es de la edición Adventure September 2018 de National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
