aug 07 | sep 15
picking up trash
2026km
40 DAYS
40 ultras
in a banana suit
for acts of kindness
Why am I doing this?
I want to inspire you to make a simple promise.
A promise that is an act of kindness
For people or the planet.
The promise can be anything you choose
That's it! I am not asking for money or anything else.
I just want us to flood the world with simple positive actions.
The world needs it right now, more than ever
In this image are two acts of kindness.. The photo was taken by Mari Durieux - an incredible photographer - he gifted some photos for me that have become some of my most used images And the runner is Joost. He didn't know me at all but just offered his home to me for a night on the one day I couldn't find accommodation during last year's adventure. He even put up with me calling Hugo all the time by mistake haha Two wonderful people Two simple acts of kindness
Why not do it for a charity?
Because I want this to be something that we all can participate in.
An act of kindness doesn't have to cost you anything, but it can mean everything to the recipient
Why a banana suit?
Hahaha.. for attention! It is as simple as that!
When you pick up a piece of trash, you make an impact.
But when someone sees you doing it, you can make a difference!
FOLLOW ALONG
Socials
Instagram is my main platform - LOTS of content and updates
Daily posts on YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok
Following me on the socials is the biggest way you can help me continue to do what I do
Live Tracking
You will be able to track my runs LIVE! here.. live.garmin.com/wayeoflife
Daily Livestreams!
Just like last year, I will do a daily livestream (at 8pm each evening) - with some guests!
It will stream on Instagram and I think also YouTube/Facebook/LinkedIn - I have upgraded the set up!
But the most fun is when you join in...
join in
Make a Promise
When you make a simple promise (big or small) you become a part of the adventure..
Run with me!
The routes are not complex.
Look at the calendar and it will give you a location for the day places where I will be at certain times. No need to register.. Just surprise me!
You will be able to see exactly where I am using the tracker.
Just pop by to say hi, or actually join me for as long as you want - chilled pace (~8min/km). I even have spare grabbers for you.
Bring your camera and share the story!!
the days
Over the coming days there will be lots of updates - including sponsor updates - with more detail added to each day.
Note: A couple of the day locations may change (just discussing with sponsors), so check back regularly
For the 'no detail' Haarlem days I will be planning some long runs to places within 20km of Haarlem - let me know if you have an idea for a specific day
The idea is to have a couple of set location points/times.. and at anytime you can see my location via the tracker.
Sat 8th Aug
Haarlem / Santpoort
9:00 Schoterbos Parkrun
11:00 Plog-X
The rest of the day I will be heading to Santpoort for their festival and back to Haarlem
Sun 9th Aug
Haarlem
I think I am going to head off to Zandvoort - hopefully lots of beach crowd
So looping around Haarlem > Bloemendaal aan Zee > Zandvoort > Bentveld > Haarlem
sat 15th aug
Amsterdam / Haarlem
10:00 Klabu social run
12:00 Running back to Haarlem and then make most of https://haarlem.live/
mon 17th aug
Haarlem
.
tue 18th aug
Velserbroek
.
wed 19th aug
tbd
.
thu 20th aug
Amsterdam
Three days based at the TRAIL.NL store
Join me for a plog - starting and finishing at their store (bag drop etc)
Provisional start/duration times
10:30 (6km/1hr)
12:00 (6km/1hr)
13:30 (20km-ish/2.5hr)
16:30 (6km/1hr)
fri 21st aug
Amsterdam
Three days based at the TRAIL.NL store
Join me for a plog - starting and finishing at their store (bag drop etc)
Provisional start/duration times
10:30 (6km/1hr)
12:00 (6km/1hr)
13:30 (20km-ish/2.5hr)
16:30 (6km/1hr)
sat 22nd aug
Amsterdam
Three days based at the TRAIL.NL store
Join me for a plog - starting and finishing at their store (bag drop etc)
Provisional start/duration times
10:30 (6km/1hr)
12:00 (6km/1hr)
13:30 (20km-ish/2.5hr)
16:30 (6km/1hr)
sun 23rd aug
Haarlem
.
mon 24th aug
Haarlem
.
tue 25th aug
Haarlem
.
wed 26th aug
Haarlem
.
thu 27th aug
Velserbroek
.
fri 28th aug
Haarlem
.
Sun 30th Aug
Haarlem
.
mon 31st aug
Haarlem
.
tue 1st sep
Haarlem
Want to visit MAAK as they have an anniversary event - but potentially shifting to a new sponsor event
.
wed 2nd sep
Haarlem
Day Sponsor: BLACKROLL
Potentially shifting dates based on discussion with their creators (got some fun content planned and I will have my recovery boots for you to try out
sun 6th sep
Tilburg
Day Sponsor: JUST MOVE FESTIVAL
11:00 Spoorpark - I will be joining them for the opening and frequently coming back to visit them
mon 7th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
tue 8th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
wed 9th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
thu 10th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
fri 11th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
sat 12th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
tue 15th sep
Haarlem
THE LAST DAY
I am trying to keep this a surprise..
sun 13th sep
tbd
It is Verspillingsvrije Week so currently finalising dates/details with ToGoodToGo, Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling, and No Waste Army as to the content this week
support me
Brands
It is still possible to support me on this adventure (and other ones)
Centrista
Gert-Jan Stevens
Eyesprint
Maurits Van Slingerland
your promises
Here you can make your pledge
"I promise to..." - what that promise exactly is, or for how long, is up to you.
But it needs to be an Act of Kindness to others or the planet.
You can also celebrate Acts of Kindness that you have witness or received.
All of these, whether given or received, can inspire others.
Maybe your Act of Kindness could inspire someone to doing the same thing
Here are a few examples
I promise to
-
pick up a piece of trash during each day of Paul's adventure
-
say thank-you to the bus driver when I get off the bus
-
smile at the supermarket staff
The promise I made 15 years ago was to pick up some trash every time I ran to the train station.
It was the start of my way(e) of life!
Please respect the intent of this section; it is meant as a place to celebrate acts of kindness.
Comments or post that are not fitting in to the purpose and positive mission of this adventure will be removed.
VIDEO PROMISE
I would also love for you to record a video of you saying your promise.
Just look into the camera and say "My promise is..." or "mijn belofte is..."
Put it as an instagram story and tag me (tagging me is the best way) - I will feature my favourite videos each day
SPONSORS
I only able to do adventures like this through the support of my sponsors.
They are the ones who are making it possible for me to make an impact. I am so grateful for their partnership
I had a few specific sponsors helping me for this adventure, which is why I want to call them all out here
Head Sponsor
Sponsors
Supporting brands
Providing equipment and support
LET's flood the world with positive stories
I promise to support local businesses by leaving positive reviews, and to support small business owners, entrepreneurs, and content creators by engaging with and sharing their work whenever I can.
I promise to carry treats with me to feed stray cats and dogs when I'm in my home country.
I promise to carry a small recyclable bin bag with me and when I see trash left on public transport's seats and dropped on floors, I will collect it and bin it.
I promise to pick up a piece of trash during my warming up or cooling down
I promise to say hello to people I pass by on my run and wish them a nice day
I promise to pick up a piece of trash every time I run to the train station
I promise to pick up 40 pieces