Enric Luzán, the engineer walking around the world: “I left my previous life behind”

Just over three months ago, Enric Luzán set off on foot from Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona with a backpack and a bold goal in mind. This engineer from Esplugues de Llobregat has now been walking for one hundred days along the Mediterranean coast.

After crossing countries such as France, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro, he has just arrived in Albania. His next major stop will be Turkey, where he plans to rest for a few days before heading into Asia to continue his challenge of walking around the world using only his own two legs.

To take on this adventure, Luzán explains that he had to make drastic decisions, giving up a good-paying job and leaving his apartment in Terrassa. This break from his routine was easier because he had no mortgage, children, partner, or pets.

Financially, he estimated he would need around 30,000 euros (roughly $34,000) for the three-year journey. He saved this money during his working years, along with a 10,000-euro grant from the Generalitat for creating content in Catalan.

However, his idea of uploading a daily video to YouTube documenting each stage has worked far better than expected. In fact, it has been so successful that he has had to register as self-employed to manage the income he now earns from the platform.

The rules of the challenge and the real danger on the road

Although his videos might give the impression that he is moving freely and without direction, the adventurer must strictly follow the rules set by the World Runners Association for his record to be recognized.

The regulations require him to cover at least 26,232 kilometers (16,300 miles) on foot while maintaining a consistent direction, set foot on at least four continents, and pass through two points on the planet that are exact opposites, known as antipodes. He is also not allowed to rest for more than 25 percent of the total duration of the journey, a rule designed to prevent participants from taking extended breaks, such as going home for a year between continents.

On top of these physical and sporting demands, he must also deal with real-world obstacles. Luzán acknowledges that he will need to adjust his route along the way due to visa bureaucracy in Central Asia and geopolitical conflicts, including tensions in the Middle East and the civil war in Myanmar.

For now, he continues forward at a pace of 18 to 25 miles per day, sleeping in a tent. When asked about isolation or fear of wild animals, his answer is clear. He greatly enjoys solitude and insists that the biggest danger he faces each day is not wildlife, but the risk of being hit by a car.

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