Farmer, known for running from North Pole to South Pole and several other countries, was enrolled for promoting India, after PM Narendra Modi's Australia visit last year.
Former Australian MP and philanthropist Pat Farmer, who is running a 4,600-km-long run to promote tourism in India, will reach Mumbai on February 17, on an 11-day-run in Maharashtra to promote state and Mumbai tourism.
Farmer, known for running from North Pole to South Pole and several other countries, was enrolled for promoting India, after PM Narendra Modi's Australia visit last year.
A formal announcement to his journey in Maharashtra was announced on Tuesday by India Tourism and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
The run in Maharashtra is part of Farmer's run from Kanyakumari to J&K, which is expected to get covered in 60 months. The run commenced on January 26 and he will finish the run at Srinagar on March 30.
"The initiative not only aims at creating awareness of India as a 'Must Experience' destination for travellers from Australia, but also to support and raise funds for education of girl child," said Vikas Rustagi, regional director, India Tourism.
Satish Soni, joint MD of MTDC, said state tourism corporation will be giving Farmer and his team the welcome to that of a state guest. "As he enters Maharashtra on February 9, state tourism officials will welcome him at Banda – border of Maharashtra – in a traditional style," said Soni.
In Maharashtra, Farmer will be covering Velagar, Malvan, Mithgavane, Ratnagiri, Velneshwar, Dapoli, Lonere, Pen, Shirsad and Kasa before reaching Mumbai on February 17.
Fifty-three-year-old Farmer, who is a multiple world record holder for endurance running, set the record when he ran from North Pole to the South, covering about 20,000km on ground in 14 countries and raised $100 million for International Red Cross.
In addition, he ran across Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Middle East and North America.
Apart from his adventure streak, Farmer has served as an Australian MP for eight years with three years as Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Science and Training. He has raised millions of dollars for worthy causes during his running career spanning around 20 years.
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