‘Hardest thing I’ve ever done’: Man runs 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents

Reg Willick, a 62-year-old marathon runner from Spiritwood, Sask., recently completed what he describes as the toughest challenge of his life. On Nov. 21, 2024, he finished 19th out of 60 competitors in the Great World Race: a grueling event that involved running seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days.

Willick’s goal for the race was simple: finish each marathon uninjured, in a reasonable time, and be ready for the next race. His passion for long-distance running was ignited 12 years ago when he participated in his first marathon in Regina. Since then, he has completed all six major marathons in Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, London, Chicago, and New York.

Seeking a new challenge, Willick discovered The Great World Race and was immediately intrigued by its description. After committing to the race and undergoing rigorous training, there was no turning back for him. His training regimen included slow running, steady running, and hard running in preparation for the back-to-back marathons with no rest periods in between.

The race took Willick to seven different continents, starting with Antarctica, where he enjoyed the icy terrain despite the freezing temperatures. He then traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, Perth, Australia, and two races in Istanbul, Turkey. The most challenging race for Willick and his fellow competitors was in Cartagena, Colombia, where the scorching heat and high humidity made for a grueling experience.

The final leg of the race brought the runners to Miami, where Willick successfully completed the seven marathons. Throughout the race, the lack of rest and constant travel meant that airplanes became makeshift bedrooms for the exhausted runners. Despite being well-fed and hydrated, the sleep deprivation proved to be more challenging than expected.

Now that the race is over, Willick is feeling well and has already returned to running five-kilometer races. Reflecting on his experience, he acknowledges that the 7-7-7 marathon is a once-in-a-lifetime event and something he does not wish to repeat. The sheer physical and mental endurance required for such a feat makes it a truly remarkable accomplishment in the world of marathon running.