The author, coach, and legend also set a cross-country record across the U.S. in 1969.Don Morley – EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images//Getty Images We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Why Trust Us?Bruce Tulloh, celebrated as “the barefoot runner” while winning major races in bare feet on the cinder-tracks of the 1960s and famous in America for his record-breaking run across the continent in 1969, died on April 28 at his home in Marlborough, England, of cancer. He was 82 years old.Tulloh was the European 5,000-meter champion in 1962, set a British six-miles record (27:23.8) in 1966, and then sought the new challenge of covering 2,876 miles from Los Angeles to New York in 64.9 days, more than four days faster than the previous mark. With only his wife Sue and 7-year-old son, Clive, as crew, the solo runner often attracted support groups from high school and other runners in the locations he passed, and later became known as “the original Forrest Gump.”Tulloh was the first non-African to compete without shoes in top-level international races. His bare feet and slight 5-foot-7 build made him beloved by British crowds and media. The frail-looking underdog time and time again scampered away from sturdy Russians and Poles in the international dual matches. Tabloids named him “Bruce the Barefoot Botanist.”
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