The BBC describes the WRA as "a small-scale operation that functions as a de facto governing body of the extremely niche sport of world running".

[1] The BBC describes the WRA as "a small-scale operation that functions as a de facto governing body of the extremely niche sport of world running".

[1] Membership is gained by completing a successful circumnavigation of the world on foot based on WRA's rules or by special invitation.

[1][3] 2012(13 years ago) (2012) In 2024 the WRA disputed Russ Cook's claims of being the first person to run the full length of Africa.

[2][17] According to The Independent Nicholas Bourne, whose 1998 run starting in Cape Town, South Africa and finishing in Cairo, Egypt, was certified by the Guinness World Records in 2000, stated "disputes often arise around ultra-running records because there was no governing body to oversee and set criteria for long-distance challenges".