Globetrotting has taken on an entirely new meaning for 35-year-old Becca Pizzi.
Pizzi not only ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, but she became the first American women (and second women in history) to complete the challenge, known as the World Marathon Challenge.
Pizzi took first place in all seven marathons averaging 3:55:11 in the around-the-world trip, and she now holds the record for the shortest time frame for a female to finish a marathon on each of the seven continents (6 days, 18 hours and 38 minutes).
The day care operator and single mother (who is raising an 8-year-old daughter) from the Boston area started in Union Glacier, Antarctica on January 23. Then she ran marathons in Punta Arenas in Chile (South America), Miami (North America) , Madrid, Spain (Europe), Marrakech, Morocco (Africa), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Asia), and Sydney, Australia.
That’s 183 miles on foot and about 23,000 miles in the air. She spent a year training, and previously had 45 marathons under her belt, according to Citizen Times.
“It was a mind game, you know, and I thought from day one, you’re going to have to get real comfortable being uncomfortable. And I did that and I thought, ‘Don’t let your mind get away from you.’ And if you let your mind get away from you, the race is going to be over,” Pizzitold told CBS.
Her next challenge? Running a marathon in all 50 states.
Check out this video on how Pizzi conquers fear.
A big congratulations to US Marine Corps Captain Daniel Cartica as well, who took home the men’s title.
