The Seven Continents Club® (SCC) will begin presenting the SCC Finisher Medal and Certificate to SCC Members in the ultramarathon distance.
Also, starting in 2024, Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) will offer the option of a 50K distance to its Antarctica Marathon® running events.
The SCC was created in 1995 when the first running of the Antarctica Marathon® allowed marathoners completing 26.2 miles (42.2K) to achieve the goal of running this distance on each of the seven continents (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America).
Starting in 2003, recognition of SCC Members completing a half-marathon (13.1 miles or 21.1K) was added. MTT has presented the Finisher Medal and Certificate to 578 men and 305 women for completing a marathon on all seven continents, and to 26 men and 55 women for completing a half-marathon on all seven continents. Eighteen members have completed this quest multiple times.
“I cannot think of a better time to expand the celebration of our elite group of SCC Finishers to include runners who complete an ultramarathon on all seven continents,” stated Jeff Adams, MTT President and SCC Finisher at the marathon distance.
“This curtails MTT’s recent appointment as the exclusive International Tour Operator for the world-famous Comrades Marathon, the oldest ultra-marathon in the world and among one of the most iconic events for long-distance runners. Plus, MTT officially received the registered trademark designation for the SCC and Antarctica Marathon®. In the same year, we also welcomed our 8,971 SCC members and have 91 countries represented.”
To help runners accomplish this goal, in addition to adding the 50K distance to its annual Antarctica race, MTT will significantly build upon its calendar of ultramarathons on each continent.
Last September, the 50K distance was added to the Patagonia Running Festival portfolio of events in Chile, where MTT is a partner for the weekend activities. Plans are also underway to add the ultramarathon distance in 2024 to MTT’s Madagascar Marathon and the Amazing Maasai Marathon in Kenya.
For a race to count towards the completion of the seven continents in the half-marathon, marathon and ultramarathon distance, a list of criteria must be met.
Participants who can provide substantial evidence of completing a prior ultramarathon, such as a finisher’s certificate or published event results, can have their ultramarathon(s) ‘grandfathered’ and accepted as part of their goal to run an ultramarathon on all seven continents.
For more information on Marathon Tours & Travel, and to view their full 2023 event portfolio, visit https://www.marathontours.co.uk.