Savanah Wild completed her 50km barefoot run at the Vernon Athletic Park Monday (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Guiness Record Attempt

Wild stuff: Local runner sets unofficial 50 km barefoot run record

May 19, 2026 | 6:01 AM

It was a wild time at the Vernon Athletic Park as a local athlete took off her shoes and attempted to set a record for running barefoot.

Savanah Wild hit the track at 8:17 a.m. Monday, May 18, and finished her 50 kilometre barefoot run at 1:27 p.m., clocking in a new unofficial record of 5:08:11.

Savanah Wild crossing the finish line after running 50 km barefoot at the Vernon Athletic Park

Wild had been ill in the lead up to her run, sleeping roughly 14 hours a day for a week, but on completing the huge effort, was riding the runner’s high.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I feel a little nauseous, I think that’s a mix of the heat and just taking so much [energy] throughout the time, but otherwise I feel pretty good,” Wild said.

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“The feet are pretty good. There’s a pretty gnarly blister, but I mean one blister is a lot less than I was expecting. I’ve run in shoes and gotten a lot more than that. I actually always say that’s the secret to no blisters is to go barefoot.”

Wild was expecting to do the run in around 5.5 or six hours in order to set the new world record, and so was very pleased with her quick time.

“I’m so grateful and I’m so amazed. I think I was 15km in and the pain was already setting in and I was like, ‘alright, let’s just push ‘er and get it over and done with,’ and I got out 20 minutes early so that’s great.”

Guinness World Records had told Wild the existing 50km barefoot run record was seven hours, but did not provide more details as to when, where or by whom it was set.

The 27-year old runner lives in Kelowna, but ran at the track in Vernon Athletic Park as there was construction at the Apple Bowl and she wanted to get it done. She had previously done barefoot runs for charity, but chose this record attempt on the track as it’s more forgiving than pavement. Still, she noted the track surface was “feeling a bit like glass” towards the end.

The entire run was recorded from multiple angles, witnessed by a crew of around 18 people, and timed by two other individuals. The video recordings and signed statements from the witnesses and time keepers will be submitted to Guinness World Records for verification.

Wild plans to recover from her run then start training again as she will take part in the 118km Canadian Death Race in August.

by Liam Verster

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