HOSTAGE TO HERO

Keith Boyd overcame a heart condition, guerrilla warfare and kidnapping to break a 26-year-old running record

- Rob Kemp

While the world's press focused on the incredible cross-continent efforts of Russ 'Hardest Geezer' Cook [who recently ran the length of Africa from the southernmost to northernmost points], another exceptional runner - 57-year-old Keith Boyd found himself negotiating his way out of a hostage situation while on a mission to break a different but not dissimilar world record.

Travelling from Cape Town to Cairo on foot, along the treacherous Eastern coast of Africa, Boyd aimed to surpass the 26-year-old record of 318 days. Despite grappling with a heart condition and asthma, Boyd dedicated a mere four months to training for what would become one of the toughest and most perilous footraces in the world.

On May 22, 2024, he etched his name in the annals of history by completing the Cape to Cairo route in a remarkable 301 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes. His epic journey was not without significant challenges, though - including being beaten and held at gunpoint.

Men's Fitness spoke to Boyd soon after he reached Cairo, to discover the sheer courage and determination it took to complete his at times death-defying run.

Men's Fitness: What was your motivation to do this run in the first place?

Keith Boyd: I ran this for the British Heart Foundation and Rainbow Leaders. The BHF is close to my, well, heart, because when I decided to do a full Ironman about 12 years ago, I had a top-to-toe medical which revealed I had enormously high levels of calcification in my coronary arteries. But I’d never felt healthier, so since I was 45 I have been on statins and having to manage my cholesterol. I take fortnightly injections to reduce my lipoprotein production, and I do triathlons to keep fit.

Rainbow Leaders is a charity which encourages youngsters in South Africa to vote. The vote is something so many fought hard to achieve there, but they have become disillusioned. I want to help change that.