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First Black Runner Finishes Seven Marathons on Seven Continents
Global Trail Blazer Heads Up National Black Marathoners' Association
BOSTON (July 17, 2007) – Tony Reed, the executive director and co-founder
of the National Black Marathoners' Association (NBMA), has become the first
Black runner to finish a marathon on all seven continents, announced
Marathon Tours and Travel, a travel agency for marathon runners and
organizer of the Seven Continents Club.
The Dallas-area runner has completed 26.2-mile jaunts in locales as far as
flung the Great Wall of China, as icy as Antarctica and as precarious as an
African game park. A finisher of over 87 marathons, Reed wrapped up his
seven-on-seven goal at the Safaricom Lewa Marathon in Kenya on June 23,
2007.
"Tony's spirit of adventure and love of the sport of running will no doubt
motivate and inspire others in his community to pursue a healthy and active
lifestyle," said Thom Gilligan, founder of Marathon Tours and Travel and
its Seven Continents Club, a travel club for runners that offers special
recognition for members who have completed seven marathons or seven half
marathons on all seven continents.
Reed's international finishes include: the Cowtown Marathon (Ft. Worth,
TX); Tailwinds Marathon (Copenhagen, Denmark); Gold Coast Marathon
(Australia); Great Wall of China Marathon; Antarctic Marathon; Fin Del
Mundo Marathon (Ushuaia, Argentina) and the Safaricom Lewa Marathon in
Kenya.
Reed, who grew up in a St. Louis housing project, co-founded the National
Black Marathoners' Association in 2004. The non-profit organization's
mission is to encourage Black Americans to pursue a healthy lifestyle
through running and to raise awareness of the health risks that are more
prevalent among Blacks. The 500-member organization also awards college
scholarships to high school distance runners.
"I was diagnosed with increased glucose levels but have been able to avoid
full-blown diabetes by maintaining a healthy diet and by exercising," said
Reed, who has a family history of the disease.
"I also want to set an example and inspire other Blacks to set and reach
goals," said Reed, a speaker, an information technology consultant, and CPA
who holds two masters and two bachelors degrees. The NBMA estimates that
African Americans only make up one to two percent of all US marathoners.
"Midway up a long curving the hill, my eyes began to tear up," said Reed as
he reflected on his African continental finale. "As I looked in front and
behind me, I saw a long stream of Black runners. In 25 years of running 86
marathons and 150 races, I had never seen this many Blacks in a distance
race. Unforgettable."
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