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Matthieu Bonne Targets 30-Year-Old World Record at GOMU 48-Hour World Championship

This Friday, ultra-endurance athlete Matthieu Bonne embarks on his most ambitious challenge yet: breaking a nearly untouchable world record in 48-hour running at the GOMU World Championship in Pabianice, Poland.

From May 30 at 12:00 PM to June 1 at 12:00 PM, Bonne will run continuously for two full days as part of the GOMU 48-Hour World Championship — one of the most prestigious and grueling multi-day ultrarunning events in the world. The goal? To surpass the legendary distance of 473.5 kilometers, set by Yiannis Kouros in 1996.

A Field of 221 Runners — and One Belgian

Bonne will be the only Belgian athlete in a global field of 221 participants (166 men and 55 women), ranging from elite competitors to seasoned veterans in their 80s. The race takes place on a closed-loop 1.725 km course, where every meter counts, and pacing is everything.

“If I want to achieve this, I can’t stop. No sleep, no real breaks. 475+ km in one single push,” Bonne shared ahead of the race. “At no point can I drop below 6:00 min/km — or I simply won’t make it.”

This Time, No Compromise

Bonne attempted the same record in Taiwan earlier this year but was forced to abandon the race due to a respiratory infection. Now fully recovered and stronger than ever, he describes his tapering phase as “perfect,” adding that he's never felt so rested, confident, and ready for a challenge of this magnitude.

“They said this 30-year-old record was untouchable,” he said. “They also said that about the 6-Day World Record — until I broke that too.

Backed by a High-Performance Support Team

Accompanied by a dedicated five-person crew, Bonne will rely on precise nutrition, hydration, pacing strategy, and mental focus throughout the race. A small group of supporters has also traveled to Poland to cheer him on during the most intense phases of the effort.

A Bigger Mission in 2025

Matthieu Bonne’s 2025 season is all about running. After the setback in February, he refocused on his core strength: extreme endurance on foot. Following the GOMU 48-Hour World Championship, he’s planning a second major record attempt later this year — the 24-hour distance world record, currently set at 319.614 km by Aleksandr Sorokin.

Attempting both of these legendary records in a single year reflects not just athletic ambition, but an unwavering mental discipline. At ANAW, we support athletes who push the outer limits of performance while telling stories that resonate deeply with modern audiences.