World Marathon Challenge® finishers will become members of the exclusive INTERCONTINENTAL MARATHON CLUB®, reserved for athletes who have completed all 7 marathons across the 7 continents in one continuous attempt.
In addition to the 7 continents, if you complete the North Pole Marathon®, you'll join the Marathon Grand Slam Club® and will receive a Marathon Grand Slam Club medal.
1. A marathon distance is 42.195km (26.2 miles).
2. The seven major continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
3. A marathon distance in its entirety must be completed on each continent. A marathon which starts on one continent and finishes on another will not be counted. Marathons on treadmills or boats will not be counted. A person running beyond a marathon distance as part of an ultra marathon must complete the advertised ultra marathon distance or be given an official split time for the marathon.
4. Islands located near a continental landmass are considered part of that continent if they are part of its tectonic plate or continental shelf. In this respect, Ireland and Britain are considered part of Europe, Greenland is part of North America (although politically part of Europe) and Japan is part of Asia.
5. There are some islands and island groups that are not considered part of any continent: Hawaii is an example.
6. For the avoidance of doubt, the South Shetland Islands, including its northernmost King George Island, and the Falkland Islands are not considered part of the continent of Antarctica. These islands are not located within the Antarctic Circle, they are not located on Antarctica's continental landmass, and they are not part of the Antarctica Tectonic Plate or geographic continental shelf. The South Shetland Islands are specifically located on the Shetland Plate while the Falklands are on the South America Plate. Both sets of islands also share a distinctly more moderate set of climatic conditions that sets them apart from the continent of Antarctica.
7. To be eligible for membership in the Intercontinental Marathon Club, runners must complete all 7 marathons on 7 continents in one continuous attempt. This requirement holds true regardless of whether the seventh and final leg is finished within 168 hours from the commencement of the first leg. Those who finish within this time frame will be distinguished on the Club members list with a "168-" sign, while those who exceed 168 hours will be recognized with a "168+" sign on the club member list. In order to be eligible for setting a new world record, participants must achieve the status of "168-" finishers.
8. Members of the 7 Continents Marathon Club / Intercontinental Marathon Club should exemplify the spirit of adventure marathon running.
As of February 6 2025, there are 244 members, 175 men and 69 women, who have run 7 marathons in the World Marathon Challenge.
