FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WORLD RECORD, NOTABLE FIRSTS EXPECTED AT 2007 ANTARCTICA MARATHON
Wheelchair Participant Returns
BOSTON (February 8, 2007) - A new world record is anticipated at one of
the most grueling marathons on Earth.
The Guinness World Record for the shortest duration to complete
marathons on all seven continents (women) is expected to be set by
Jeanne Stawiecki of Charlton, Mass. at the 8th Antarctica Marathon on
Feb. 26, 2007.
Stawiecki, 56, is expected to accomplish this feat in 141 days,
breaking the current record by 68 days. The Antarctica Marathon,
presented by Capella University, will be Stawiecki's frigid finale in
her seven continent quest.
"All Jeanne has to do is show up and finish the race before the six and
one-half hour cut-off time and she will be the new world record
holder," said Thom Gilligan, president of Boston-based Marathon Tours
and Travel, the event organizer.
Showing up at the race will be a Herculean effort in itself.
On Feb. 19th, 188 athletes from 17 countries will travel an average of
7,000 miles to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southern-most city in the world.
There they will board two Russian ice-breaker ships for a two-day
crossing of the Drake Passage, some of the roughest waters in the
world. The race is held on King George Island, located just off the
Antarctic Peninsula.
Finishing a marathon on the coldest, windiest and most remote continent
on earth is not exactly a walk in the park either. The marathon's
two-loop course transverses up and down a steep glacier and through
rocky streams. The course also takes participants past Russian,
Chilean, Uruguayan and Chinese research bases.
Other notable Antarctica Marathon entrants include:
William Tan (Singapore) - A Harvard-educated neuroscientist, Tan
aspires to be the event's first wheelchair finisher. He first attempted
this monumental feat at the 2005 Antarctica Marathon but unusually warm
weather caused mud to clog his wheels, forcing him to abandon his
marathon goal. He instead finished the half marathon. William had made
significant changes to his wheelchair and will return to Antarctica to
reach his Antarctic goal.
Wesam Mahmoud (Jacksonville, N.C.) - A former US Marine, Mahmoud
received a Purple Heart after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
He is a recent graduate of Capella University's MBA program and is now
pursuing a PhD at Capella in educational psychology.
Melissa Hill (Minneapolis, Minn.) - A Capella University graduate
student, Hill lost more than 150 pounds in the last three years though
a commitment to running and healthy eating.
Michelle Johnston (Lake City, Minn.) - A mother of four, Johnston is a
Capella University graduate student who had to learn to walk again
after breaking her neck in a car crash. She also survived being struck
by lightning and recently conquered cancer.
Don Kern (Grand Rapids, Mich.) - On track to break the Guinness World
Record for the shortest period of time for a man to complete a marathon
on all seven continents, Kern hopes to complete this amazing feat in
just 35 days, bettering the former World Record of 91 days. The
Antarctica Marathon will be his fourth marathon in his "seven marathons
on seven continents in 35 days" quest.
Ginny Turner (Hillsboro, Ore.) - A grandmother of five, Turner will be
the first women to finish marathons on all seven continents twice.
For more information on the Antarctica Marathon, please visit
www.marathontours.com, write to or call (617) 242-7845.
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