The Barefoot Dutchman makes his way through Kansas on 3,200 mile journey

TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – Keep your eyes open while driving on the highway for the next couple of weeks, the Barefoot Dutchman might just be walking right next to you!

Anton Nootenboom, Dutch veteran and world record holder, began his journey to beat the Guinness World Record of the longest walk barefooted on Feb. 17.

His first stop coming from Europe was Los Angles, walking all the way to the Big Apple. Nootenboom is doing this walk to raise money and to bring awareness to men’s mental health.

“When it comes to mental health, especially men’s mental health, the U.S. is one of the places where it’s the worst,” Nootenboom said. “And if there’s one place where I want to create that ripple effect of positive change to break that stigma, it’s here. ”

This isn’t Nootenboom’s first trek for a world record.

He set the original world record in 2021 when he walked in Australia. But unfortunately, someone beat his record and he knew he needed to take it one step forward.

“So I’m gonna walk over about 3,200 miles now,” Nootenboom said. “It’s not just about the record, but it’s just way of getting the attention to raise awareness. And to show the problem we have, but more importantly to show the solutions we have to break that stigma as well.”

Once he reaches Times Square in October, Nootenboom will take a much-needed break. But, he is already planning his next adventure.

“One is a little shorter, one is the world record for the longest distance run in 24 hours barefoot, I hate running so that’s the next thing to do. And a half a marathon on Artic ice, like either the South or North pole.”

To continue following Nootenboom through Topeka and the rest of Kansas, there is a tracker on his website – as well as his posts on Instagram .

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