10th - 20th May 2026

The Great Silk Run (Spring)

From Afghanastan to Kyrgyzstan - Cross Tajikistan by Foot

Nick Carter's Wild Weekends

Overview

Salam! Welcome to an expedition like no other. Starting on the far-flung Afghan-Tajik border, you'll be running, walking, or jogging about a marathon a day across Tajikistan to the border of China, through scenery that will make your heart sing.

En route, we'll stay with local people, eat as locals eat, and experience life at the roof of the world. Expect new friendships, stunning views, heart-pumping climbs, and a glimpse into a totally different way of life. Top it off with restful nights looking out at the stars, giant mountains, and winding glaciers.

Leading you through this amazing land will be Nicola and Tom, both absolute powerhouses of positivity. This adventure, as with everything they do, is as radically inclusive as possible. It’s absolutely not a race; everyone goes at their own pace - 200 miles may seem like a long way, but as a tribe, we really can make it!

Expect new friendships, stunning mountain views, mild blowing vistas, and stays with the locals! Top it off with restful nights looking out at the stars and maybe even a wolf or two if we’re lucky!

Hosts

Nicola Soraghan

Nic has qualified to race for the Irish national team, but decided to turn that down to organise and lead collaborative and inclusive adventures in far-flung places around the world. Organised, pragmatic and loves bringing out the best in people.

Tom Beard

Tom finds the awesome in everything and inspires those around him to achieve the previously unthinkable. Always looking for the next adventure, Tom passionately believes in the power of people, nature and positivity to overcome anything that faces us.

Schedule

Getting There
Prepare

The schedule doesn't include actually getting there (or back), so you'll need to get yourself to Dushanbe, Tajikistan first. You can arrive whenever you like, but there's a hotel with your name on it waiting for you the day before the event starts.

Day One
Start

Getting to the Bartang Valley is no small feat. Today we start our long bus journey to the valley entrance. We'll arrive and stay at the Afghan-Tajik border town of Rushan.

Day Two
Siponj

Today we lace up our running shoes and wind our way along the Bartang River, staying in local village homestays along the way. Expect to see no more than one car per day and always locals. We're headed for the tiny town of Siponj.

Day Three
Basid

Off to the equally small village of Basid today, through spectacular canyons and over beautiful passes. Glad it's all being filmed! Picnic lunch on route.

Day Four
Savnob

Run/walk to Savnob village, where we will see Lapnazar Peak (5990m), it's the only mountain in Tajikistan that you can see from top to bottom. Check out the Juniper trees and local way of life.

Day Five
Ghudara Valley

Today we will enter Ghudara valley where the landscape opens out onto wide breathtaking plains. Today we reach an altitude of 3000m (nearly 9900ft) for the first time! And we're rewarded with epic views for our efforts.

Day Six
Tanimas Valley

Today we'll run through the Tanimas Valley and ascend Kok-Jar pass; one of the most stunning parts of the trail. We climb 1000m (3300ft) today and break out the tents for the first night of wild camping next to a shephard's mud-brick hut.

Day Seven
Dangi

Very wild camping (but with many home comforts) as we leave even the smallest villages behind. We might see Marco Polo sheep herds en-route and will pass next to a large meteorite crater.

Day Eight
Karakul

Wild running in the middle of freakin' nowhere leads us to Karakul on the border of Kyrgystan and China. Here we'll leave the Bartang valley behind and join the legendary M41 Pamir Highway, finishing in Karakul.

Day Nine
Celebration

We'll take a team bus over the high pass between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and drive to Osh. Here we will have our celebration dinner and drinks. You just ran across a freaking country!

Day Ten
Flying Home

Our journey together has come to an end. You can book your flight home today, or you may choose to stay and explore more of Kyrgyzstan! You have two options for flights - fly directly from Osh (anytime today) or book a very cheap, short internal flight to Bishkek where you will find more international flight options. Just make sure to book an evening flight if you fly from Bishkek to allow enough journey time getting there.

What's included?

+ Team Equipment
+ Support Vehicles
+ Accomodation & Homestays
+ Food and Drink
+ Transfers in Country
+ Guides and Support
+ Remote Regions Permit

Personal Kit
Personal Insurance
Warm Sleeping Bag
Accommodation After the Event
Visas
Plane Tickets

Book Now
Team Places
10th - 20th May 2026

£3600

Gallery

FAQ

Most of the team will jog a bit and walk a bit. It's not about who gets there first (we don't even keep track), it's about the whole team getting across Tajikistan. Last time there was a group of three who walked the whole thing.

Yes! Contact Nick Carter on +447944913245 or nick@runwild.global There is also a very active WhatsApp group that everyone uses to work out logistics and share ideas. Nick can add you to it.

Yes! You only need to put down a 10% deposit initially, then you can pay in any way you like, over a time scale that suits you.

You can find a documentary created by Opal Films about our 2023 event by clicking here.

More than one person could sign up, so you can do the event with friends, but most people enter as solo runners (there's normally a 60/40 female/male split) and then make life-long, like-minded friends on the journey.