Australia’s Forrest Gump: Tim Franklin’s incredible run to join the Marty Sheargold Show

What would you do to get on your favourite radio show?

Tim Franklin‘s answer was to run for more than 580 days and 24,000 kilometres around the globe, overcoming floods, snowstorms, exhaustion, wild dogs and rogue cars.

Tim caught up with Triple M’s Marty Sheargold Show to discuss his incredible run.

A self-confessed super fan of the show, he joked that Marty had inspired him for this world record attempt. Tim has frequently checked in with the show over the past 18 months as his run continued.

Initially aiming for a world record, Tim’s run symbolised resilience when tragedy struck. His father’s passing during his North American leg could have halted his journey, but Franklin’s unwavering determination prevailed.

Tim told the Marty Sheargold Show his dad’s last words to him were: “You go and finish this damned run.”

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Brisbane-born Tim is the first Australian to run from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States of America, a feat that Marty Sheargold compared to Tom Hanks’ iconic movie character Forrest Gump.

While appearing on the Marty Sheargold Show has been a goal of Tim’s, he has been running around the world to raise money for Lung Foundation Australia, Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation and Wings for Life. His journey will conclude in Brisbane in June.