Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you doing the World Marathon Challenge?
This is the nice way of people asking, "Are you crazy?" I am not crazy, but this doesn't make answering the "why" any easier. There isn't a logical reason, other than to challenge myself both mentally and physically, to prove that an average person like me, can do something that most people believe is impossible. I don't view the challenge as impossible, I view it as something that I can tackle with preparation and mental will power, to keep pushing on despite the inevitable pain I am sure to encounter.
Are you raising money for anything?
I am in fact raising money to support The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The fight against cancer is very close to my heart as many of my family members have battled the disease (My mother beat breast cancer, but two of my grandparents unfortunately lost their battle to various other forms the disease.) Similar to the ambitious goal of completing the World Marathon Challenge, I have set an ambitious but achievable goal of raising $77,777 to support cancer research. The "Donate" page on this site contains more details about my goal, the foundation, and how you can support me by donating.
This is the nice way of people asking, "Are you crazy?" I am not crazy, but this doesn't make answering the "why" any easier. There isn't a logical reason, other than to challenge myself both mentally and physically, to prove that an average person like me, can do something that most people believe is impossible. I don't view the challenge as impossible, I view it as something that I can tackle with preparation and mental will power, to keep pushing on despite the inevitable pain I am sure to encounter.
Are you raising money for anything?
I am in fact raising money to support The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The fight against cancer is very close to my heart as many of my family members have battled the disease (My mother beat breast cancer, but two of my grandparents unfortunately lost their battle to various other forms the disease.) Similar to the ambitious goal of completing the World Marathon Challenge, I have set an ambitious but achievable goal of raising $77,777 to support cancer research. The "Donate" page on this site contains more details about my goal, the foundation, and how you can support me by donating.
Are you really doing 7 marathons in 7 consecutive days?
Yes, I am really doing 7 marathons over 168 straight hours (7 days x 24 hours in a day). The clock will start when we begin our marathon in Union Glacier, Antarctica and end when we complete our marathon in Sydney, Australia. I will have 8 hours to complete each marathon.
How many others have run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days?
7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days has never been done as an organized event before as best I can tell. This is the first time it will take place. Prior to the 2015 World Marathon Challenge, a handful of people have done the challenge on their own including the race organizer, Richard Donovan. Overall, just over 100 people have ever completed a marathon on on all 7 continents in any timeframe.
How can I follow your progress?
You can follow my progress on this website or via social media - Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Where are the 7 marathons?
The 7 marathons will take place in Union Glacier (Antarctica), Punta Arenas (Chile), Miami (USA), Madrid (Spain), Marrakech (Morocco), Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Sydney (Australia). For me the only net new place will be Dubai as I have been to all the other places on prior world travels. However, out of the 7 locations, I have only run a marathon Antarctica in 2012.
Yes, I am really doing 7 marathons over 168 straight hours (7 days x 24 hours in a day). The clock will start when we begin our marathon in Union Glacier, Antarctica and end when we complete our marathon in Sydney, Australia. I will have 8 hours to complete each marathon.
How many others have run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days?
7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days has never been done as an organized event before as best I can tell. This is the first time it will take place. Prior to the 2015 World Marathon Challenge, a handful of people have done the challenge on their own including the race organizer, Richard Donovan. Overall, just over 100 people have ever completed a marathon on on all 7 continents in any timeframe.
How can I follow your progress?
You can follow my progress on this website or via social media - Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Where are the 7 marathons?
The 7 marathons will take place in Union Glacier (Antarctica), Punta Arenas (Chile), Miami (USA), Madrid (Spain), Marrakech (Morocco), Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Sydney (Australia). For me the only net new place will be Dubai as I have been to all the other places on prior world travels. However, out of the 7 locations, I have only run a marathon Antarctica in 2012.
How can you get to all the continents in 7 days, isn't that impossible?
The logistics of getting to all 7 continents in 7 days or 168 hours is quite challenging. We will spend about 59 hours flying 38K miles around the world. Due to the weather conditions in Antarctica, the timing clock won't start until we start the first marathon there when it is certain that a flight is due from South America to pick us up. Due to special arrangements with airlines, the follow-on flights can all be pushed out to a later date if necessary due to a delay in Antarctica.
When are the races? How long will it all take including flight times?
Below is a tentative schedule for the races as well as the flight schedules.
The logistics of getting to all 7 continents in 7 days or 168 hours is quite challenging. We will spend about 59 hours flying 38K miles around the world. Due to the weather conditions in Antarctica, the timing clock won't start until we start the first marathon there when it is certain that a flight is due from South America to pick us up. Due to special arrangements with airlines, the follow-on flights can all be pushed out to a later date if necessary due to a delay in Antarctica.
When are the races? How long will it all take including flight times?
Below is a tentative schedule for the races as well as the flight schedules.
Where will you sleep?
With the exception of maybe one night in a hotel in Morocco, all of my sleep over the course of the week will be done on the planes or in airports.
Are you going to run all 7 marathons?
We have 8 hours to finish each marathon. With that in mind, my plan is to run/walk the marathons with a goal to finish each in the 5 to 6 hour time frame. I will likely run at least half of all the marathons. However, this will vary depending on how I feel as it is hard to simulate what the flights and potential lack of sleep will do. With that said, I have been training extensively and I am confident I'll be able to handle the challenging conditions.
More FAQs to come....Follow my blog for regular updates
With the exception of maybe one night in a hotel in Morocco, all of my sleep over the course of the week will be done on the planes or in airports.
Are you going to run all 7 marathons?
We have 8 hours to finish each marathon. With that in mind, my plan is to run/walk the marathons with a goal to finish each in the 5 to 6 hour time frame. I will likely run at least half of all the marathons. However, this will vary depending on how I feel as it is hard to simulate what the flights and potential lack of sleep will do. With that said, I have been training extensively and I am confident I'll be able to handle the challenging conditions.
More FAQs to come....Follow my blog for regular updates