The Great World Race Inaugural Event Features Terminal Cancer Survivor Sean Swarner and Social Media Star and Cancer Advocate Iain Ward, "The King of Chemo"
New York
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October 17, 2024 09:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time
The Great World Race announces its first annual event, launching on November 15th, 2024. This exciting competition invites participants to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days.
Beginning at Wolf’s Fang in Antarctica, the 60 runners will then travel to Cape Town in Africa, followed by Perth in Australia. The Great World Race continues with two marathons in Istanbul, spanning both Asia and Europe across the Bosphorus. The final legs will take place in Cartagena, South America, and Miami, North America.
Successful finishers will be eligible for The Global Marathon Club, recognizing those who complete all seven marathons in the designated timeframe. Additionally, there will be male and female champions determined by the fastest overall average marathon times across the continents.
This year, The Great World Race has partnered with the non-profit charity LUNGevity who are transforming how people are diagnosed and live with lung cancer through research, education and support. LUNGevity will be represented by terminal cancer survivor Sean Swarner. Swarner was given 2 weeks to live as 16 year old, yet 33 years later he is getting ready for the 777 after having already completed the Explorers Grand Slam in 2017, one of only 50 people to ever complete the feat. His feat was all the more impressive given that Sean has only one functioning lung. Sean speaks of the bond he formed with LUNGevity and the community they help:
“I spoke at the LUNGevity Hope Summit, an amazing event for lung cancer survivors and their caregivers. My immediate reaction was – this is my community! As a two-time cancer survivor, I understood what the attendees were going through, and decided then to help raise awareness for lung cancer and help raise funds for research. The Great World Race is the perfect platform to reach a whole new audience and get them involved. Please follow me and support the 1 in 18 people who will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime.”
Becs Gentry, a Peloton instructor and marathon runner with a personal best of 2:32, is a prominent figure in the women's race. Based in New York City, Becs finished 4th in the 2021 British Olympic Trials, narrowly missing her chance to compete in the Olympics. Ashley Paulson, a two-time champion and record holder of the Badwater ultramarathon, will also race in Antarctica on November 15th. Additionally, Chirine Njeim from Lebanon brings impressive credentials, having represented her country at three Winter Olympics in skiing and at the marathon during the Beijing Summer Olympics.
In the men's event, David Kilgore (USA) has carved out a reputation as one of the best in the world of endurance sport and ultrarunning. Two other athletes aim to achieve remarkable feats as they strive to be the oldest and youngest individuals to complete marathons on all seven continents within a week. Dan Little, an 81-year-old from Oklahoma, and Merrick Chernett, an 18-year-old from Michigan, are both seeking to make history. Notable participants include Alvaro Nunez, originally from Spain, who came to the United States on a tennis scholarship and has since become a successful ultramarathon runner, best-selling author, and entrepreneur based in Miami. Cole Brecka, son of well-known human biologist Gary Brecka, the man Dana White credited with changing his life and his health turnaround, will also join the event and aims to use the knowledge of his father in the science and nutrition space to turn himself into the first Ultimate Human Athlete.
The Great World Race has gained international attention on social media, particularly with the involvement of social media creator and cancer awareness advocate, Iain Ward, known as @thekingofchemo. After being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2020, Iain has dedicated his life to raising funds for cancer through athletic events. His inspiring journey and engaging posts have attracted over 12 million followers across social media platforms. Audiences are drawn to his ability to transform a tragic diagnosis into a proactive mission, combined with his witty humor. Iain is participating in the Great World Race to benefit the American Cancer Society by seeking corporate sponsorships and donations. When asked about this initiative, Iain stated:
“My terminal brain cancer diagnosis has given me absolute clarity: I want to use the time I have left to laugh in cancer’s ugly face by raising more money for cancer research than anyone ever has. We want to break the world record of $3,000,000, starting with the Great World Race. You don’t even have to donate: The bigger the channel gets, the more sponsorships we get, and the more money goes to charity. But I can’t do this without you, and I need each and every one of you reading this to follow right now. It only takes seconds and it will help raise money for the 1 in 2 people who will get cancer in their lifetime. So do it for your friends, your family, everyone you know who is affected by cancer.”
“I'm delighted to be joining forces with LUNGevity, the work they do is outstanding in helping their community through difficult times, sometimes when people have lost hope. It's also great to be working with all participants embarking on this outstanding physical and mental challenge. Sean's story is one that illustrates how you should never give up hope, no matter the circumstances and his adventures have shown what can be done when you believe in yourself. Iain is an incredible character, his ability to take a positive view on an extremely tough diagnosis is inspiring. We should all take a leaf out of his book and make the most out of life, health is too often a commodity we all take for granted”, said David Kelly, CEO of Ice Cap Adventures and Great World Race event director.
For additional information or interest in joining the 2025 race, visit thegreatworldrace.com.
To check out the great work LUNGevity do, visit HERE: www.LUNGevity.org/
To donate to Iain’s fundraiser for American Cancer Society visit HERE: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=108295
About the Great World Race
The Great World Race, organized by Ice Cap Adventures Limited, is the only 7-continents athletics event taking place in 2024. The CEO of the company and Race Director of the event, David Kelly, is a medical doctor and former Irish international athlete. David will be accompanied by a traveling support team of top professionals, all with extensive international experience in the polar regions and in round-the-world events. Among them are photographers and cameramen who will ensure every special marathon moment is captured for competitors and global media.
Contact Details
Ice Cap Adventures Limited
David Kelly
Company Website
