Utah's Melissa Walker Takes on Seven Marathons in Seven Days
Melissa Walker is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge: running seven marathons on seven continents in just one week. Known as The Great World Race, this ambitious event will see her traveling by chartered plane to each marathon location, where she will tackle the standard 26.2-mile distance. Walker's journey begins on November 12 in Cape Town, South Africa, where she will join around 60 other runners from various countries for briefings before the race kicks off.
Walker, a 50-year-old mother of four, has a unique approach to her race-day nutrition, relying on her favorite chocolate chip cookies and Coke for recovery. While she can find Coke almost anywhere, she plans to bake the cookies herself before embarking on this global marathon adventure. The race, founded by Irish physician and former international runner David Kelly, is a test of endurance that draws on his experience with extreme endurance events.
Participants in The Great World Race will not enjoy the comforts of hotels or spas; instead, they will eat, sleep, and recover on the chartered plane between races. Walker, who previously ran her 26th marathon at the New York City Marathon in 2024, initially felt burned out and took a break from racing. However, her passion was reignited after a successful run at the Big Cottonwood Half Marathon in 2025, where she finished with a time that exceeded her expectations.
Inspired by fellow runner Becs Gentry, who participated in the inaugural race, Walker decided to take the plunge and sign up for The Great World Race. Despite her initial fears, she received encouragement from her husband, Paul, who is excited about her undertaking. Walker's training regimen has ramped up significantly since she registered, with her weekly mileage peaking at 80 to 100 miles, including back-to-back 20-mile runs.
Preparing for Unique Marathon Challenges
As she prepares for the grueling schedule, Walker is mindful of potential challenges such as jet lag and hydration, especially in warmer climates like Singapore and Colombia. She plans to wear different shoes for each race, including trail shoes for the snowy conditions in Antarctica, and has packed recovery equipment to help manage her physical well-being.
While Walker won't have her family support throughout the race, she has formed connections with the other participants through video calls, creating a sense of camaraderie among the group. Although some runners may be competitive, Walker's primary goal is to enjoy the experience and finish each marathon. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges how far she has come since her early disdain for running, noting that it has become a source of confidence and strength in her life.
The Home Straight
Having completed six world marathon majors, including Tokyo and Berlin, Walker is no stranger to international races. Her husband, Paul, is proud of her commitment to this challenge and plans to follow her progress online. As she embarks on this monumental journey, Walker is both excited and apprehensive about the physical and mental demands ahead.
"It’ll be a cool thing," she said. "It’ll be super hard in the moment and super cool to look back on." With the completion of this race, Walker will achieve her goal of running 34 marathons. As she contemplates her future in running post-race, she considers the possibility of pursuing additional challenges, including the potential for a Nine Star Finisher Medal, all while enjoying her beloved cookies and Coke along the way.
