From Canada to Chile with a stop in Antarctica along the way, 15-year-old Kristen De Sousa became one of the youngest runners to complete seven marathons on all seven continents. She ran them over the course of three months, and on Thursday completed an ultra marathon in Punta Arenas for her final race - that's just over 31 miles. Remarkably, the young athlete only started running 11 months ago.
"Prior to that, I couldn't even run 800 metres on sports day!" Kristen tells the Good News blog. "It started with my mom and her friends talking about doing a marathon challenge. They offered the idea to me and my first response was, "Absolutely no way!"… but the thought never left my mind for weeks, this was such an amazing opportunity and I knew I would regret it if I didn't take advantage."
Kristen, who was born in Canada and currently resides in Dubai, began training with speed and interval sessions five days a week, adding one long run of about 19 miles during the weekend. By November 3rd, 2013, she was ready for her first marathon in Ontario.
The teenager finished, and went on to complete the Central Coast Marathon in Australia on November 23rd, Aspen Marathon in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on December 7th, Pisa Marathon in Italy on December 15th, Doha Marathon in Qatar on January 10th, White Continent Marathon on King George Island in Antarctica on January 26th, and finally, the ultra marathon in Chile on January 30th.
Kristen worked with an osteopath and sports psychologist along the way to assist with injuries and mental challenges. "Although I developed a chest infection and the flu a couple days before the Australia marathon, which certainly tested my strength and determination during that race, The White Continent Marathon in Antarctica was definitely the most challenging," she remembers. "The temperature was -18 degrees C (-4 degrees F) with the wind chill, and there were very strong winds.
The terrain was also difficult as there was slippery snow and ice, gravel, mud, which was like quick sand and rocks, which were very hard to run on."
Of all the races, Kristen says the ultra marathon was her favorite. She decided to take on the challenge as a means of topping herself, and says when you get into that much mileage, a few more doesn't make much of a difference. "I thought it would be cool to finish big," Kristen remarks.
Not only did Kristen come out triumphantly, she was able to raise $6,000 for children in Nepal. The money will be put toward Children of the Mountain, a nonprofit that helps provide education for students and teachers.
What's next for the amazing athlete? Relaxing, she says, if that's possible.
"My next challenge will be how long I can stay in bed for," she jokes. "To be honest, I have no idea what's next for me. For the while, I want to let all my injuries heal fully and do a few half marathon races here and there while I do that. Once I'm fully healed, I plan to participate in the crazy, fun marathons such as the glow in the dark one or the themed ones or the Disney one as well as challenge myself in more strenuous marathons."
(link) to story
Skirt Runner
WOW! That is intense. Only running for 11 months and completed all those marathons plus an ultra so close together with so much traveling in between.... I don't know whether to think it is awesome or incredibly stupid but I can only imagine what an amazing experience running on every continent was. I'd love to run a race on every continent one day, what a way to see the world! (but over the course of many years not 3 months)
PRs: 5K- 28:16 (5/5/13) 10K- 1:00:13 (10/27/13) 4M- 41:43 (9/7/13) 15K- 1:34:25 (8/17/13) 10M- 1:56:30 (4/6/14) HM- 2:20:16 (4/13/14) Full- 5:55:33 (11/1/15)
I started a blog about running :) Check it out if you care to
My lesson from that:
She has very rich parents.
Short term goal: 17:59 5K
Mid term goal: 2:54:59 marathon
Long term goal: To say I've been a runner half my life. (I started running at age 45).
Wasn't there something in the latest RW mag about a 14yo who just did that?
Dave
She may have very rich parents but I think it's cool that they did that (pay for her experience) for her. She is so much richer on many levels now than she was just a year ago. Congratulations to the young lady!
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
Wow. I didn't even get to go to Disney World.
I'd be more impressed if they weren't 6 hour marathons... but ...
Dang those Canadians are tough
Awesome accomplishment! I am working on 7 continents but I am not rich, and old,
so its going to take a while. My time frame = before I die
Here it is - the youngest to do it. And her mom did all 7 with her.
"She ran the Maasai Marathon in Kenya in 4:04, taking third overall in the women’s race. "
Not hatin' but how in the hell does a 4:04 take third overall in Kenya of all places?
I will just put this here since I already have a million damn threads going.
"Former NFL offensive lineman Alan Faneca used to weigh more than 300 pounds during his playing days with the Steelers, Jets and Cardinals.
The six-time All-Pro, who won a Super Bowl with the Steelers, has lost more than 100 pounds since his retirement in 2011.
This past weekend he ran his first marathon, finishing the New Orleans Rock & Roll Marathon in 03:56:17.
Does he look a lot different now (compared to the photo at the top of this story)? Yes, yes he does:"
link
I saw that story about the lineman. Pretty damn impressive.
Saw that too about the lineman. Great stuff. And a real transformation.
The 15 year old's running is noteworthy, and she did some great charity work along the way. I do wonder how much this can be appreciated at 15 when you've only been running 11 months. Whatever, hopefully she will go on to bigger and better things. And her parents can support her (financially) as well.
marathon pr - 3:16
Saw that too about the lineman. Great stuff. And a real transformation. The 15 year old's running is noteworthy, and she did some great charity work along the way. I do wonder how much this can be appreciated at 15 when you've only been running 11 months. Whatever, hopefully she will go on to bigger and better things. And her parents can support her (financially) as well.
Or a sponsor will....