Article from "MyNextRace.com"

Word on the Street

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Don Kern Runs 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 35 Days!

by Nick Arcieri - MyNextRace.com

"Marathon" Don Kern has completed his quest for the Guinness World Record of "Marathon on each continent - Shortest duration to complete (Men)" by running seven marathons on seven continents in 35 days. Don finished the Donga Seoul International Marathon in Seoul, South Korea on March 18, his seventh in 35 days.

However, in a strange twist of fate, Etobicoke, Ontario's own Richard Takata, a fellow marathoner who actually ran in Egypt, Spain, Antarctica, and Argentina along with Don, achieved the same feat in a shorter time span. Richard's attempt was completed in 31 days on March 6 at the Fin del Mundo Marathon in Ushuaia, Argentina. Confirmation from Guinness is pending but for now, it looks as if Richard holds the record.

I spoke to both Don and Richard earlier today via phone and they were both extremely thankful for the fact that they could amaze and inspire so many people while experiencing the culture and beauty of this world. Don harbours no resentment towards Richard, even thanking him for not letting him know of his accomplishment until after Don completed his trek to keep him focused on his goal.

Both men completed their astounding achievements on behalf of their respective charities, Alternatives in Motion, who provide mobility devices to those in need (Don Kern) and Power 2 Cure for cancer research and care at the Princess Margaret Hospital (Richard Takata)

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

To read about his adventures including daily updates of his marathons, visit Don Kern's blog.

To learn more about Richard Takata and his fundraising efforts, click here.

Special thanks to both Don Kern and Richard Takata for sharing their experiences with me as the inspiration for writing this article.