LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Seven marathons in seven continents in seven days, it's a grueling challenge a man from southern Indiana will start later this month.
The World Marathon Challenge begins at Ultima Basecamp in Antarctica and is followed by marathons in Cape Town (Africa), Perth (Australia), Dubai (Asia), Madrid (Europe), Fortaleza (South America) and Miami (North America).
World Marathon Challenge map. (Graphic courtesy of World Marathon Challenge)
Corey Burton, a Columbus, Indiana native, will take on the physical and logistical challenge unlike any other. But it's not about how he'll get through it, it's about why he's competing in the World Marathon Challenge.
Burton ran his first marathon in 2017 because it was on his "bucket list." He ran a few more marathons, and the World Marathon Challenge caught his attention.
"I knew I didn't want to do it for selfish reasons," Burton said.
The University of Louisville graduate found his reason to run two years ago.
"When you do something like this it helps to have developed a high sense of why," Burton said. "The Freedom 13 has become my why."
The Freedom 13 was founded after 13 U.S. troops were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan during withdrawal efforts at an airport August 26, 2021. The Freedom 13 was created to build recreational camps in all 50 states to help U.S. military veterans and their families in support of physical and mental well-being.
Burton is running to raise funding and awareness for the nonprofit.
"These men and women need all the support we can give them, they deserve all the support we can give them," Burton said.
Although Burton has run more than a dozen marathons, the global races will be entirely different.
"Everything from the coldest of cold, to the hottest of hot. You're going to experience a little bit of everything," Burton said.
While it's summer in Antarctica, Burton expects to be running in 20-degree temperatures and single-digit wind chills.
"Antarctica is unique because you have to have a specific layering system," Burton said. "You need a base layer for your skin, you need an insulating layer on top and then you need an outer shell on both your legs and upper body to protect you from the wind. In addition, a facemask and a thermal hat, and also a pair of trail runners as opposed to road runners so you can run on the ice."
There won't be much rest for the weary, or cold.
The runners will be on a plane flying to their next destination once the race ends. They'll hydrate, eat and recover on the plane flights.
A few months ago, Burton ran more than 20 miles on seven consecutive days to put his body through the physical test. But he won't be able to have his typical night-before, pre-marathon meal of a large pizza.
"There are several things about this race that are hard to prepare for," Burton said. "The jet lag and changing of the time zones. The sleep deprivation potentially."
There are both individual and team competitors in the 2025 World Marathon Challenge, which is completed in 168 hours. The group will meet for a few days in Cape Town, South Africa for pre-departure meetings, and then fly to Antarctica Jan. 31.
Burton is ready to take on the challenge head, one stride at a time.
"I really look at the World Marathon Challenge as the ultimate test of compartmentalization," Burton said. "One day let's focus on what needs to be done in the cold, and when that's done, completely put it out of your mind, and then go to whatever conditions the next day may bring."
To donate to The Freedom 13, click here.
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