Running a marathon is a feat in of itself. Running more than one is really special. Running seven of them – in the course of just seven days – is arguably a pretty extraordinary feat of endurance, determination, and logistics. Smita Warrier checked the box on the World Marathon Challenge in January, running seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days. But this story’s bigger than just running.
The Challenge
The World Marathon Challenge is as much a logistical feat as a physical one. Here’s the quick math: That’s 183.4 miles run, 60 hours and about 25,000 miles flown – all in the span of one week. The 168 hours seems like a ton of time, but the clock begins counting down the moment runners start the first event.
“Essentially, you’re running on one continent, getting on a bus, getting on a plane, flying to the next, and doing it all over again,” Warrier explained. It’s all very efficient.
The week and the first event begin in Antarctica, due to the unpredictable weather conditions. Warrier said just the experience of offloading onto the continent from a windowless cargo plane was surreal. “You get out of the plane, and you see ice and snow as far as your eye can see… it’s just breathtakingly beautiful.” And then, you run…
Despite the extreme conditions and grueling schedule, Warrier maintained impressive consistency throughout the week. She averaged about a 5:30 marathon time across all seven marathons. That’s pretty solid, in our opinion. “That was my goal—to be consistent throughout. I didn’t want to go out too fast in the beginning and not have anything left in the tank for the later races,” she said.
Participants had to contend with jet lag, varying climates, and limited recovery time between races. Warrier noted how quickly they had to transition: “As soon as we got someplace… we were hustled to start running within an hour or so.” Again, the clock is running from the start of the first event in Antarctica.
A Community of Runners
One of the most rewarding aspects of the World Marathon Challenge for Warrier was the camaraderie among the group. A total of 64 runners started, and 49 completed all seven marathons. Warrier said the group was small but tight.
“This group of people I ran with were some incredible, amazing athletes,” Warrier said. Despite being a self-described slower runner compared to others in the field, the looped courses made it easy for runners to cheer for one another along the way. “Even being slow, you still were kind of running together … they were shouting out cheers and encouragement.”
The multiple-loop courses allowed runners to cross paths frequently during each race, creating a sense of community no matter your pace. “It was really special to see how supportive everyone was,” she added.
Running for a Reason
Warrier was one of 19 other American runners to start the World Marathon Challenge. But completing the events wasn’t just about personal achievement—it was about making a difference. Through her nonprofit initiative Miles for Change, she raised awareness and funds for girls’ education in India.
Growing up in India, Warrier witnessed firsthand how access to education can transform lives, but she also saw how many girls are denied that opportunity due to systemic barriers. Her fundraising efforts provide scholarships and resources for underprivileged girls in India so they can pursue their dreams through education.
Her story and her determination resonated with donors around the world who supported her cause during her journey. “It’s humbling to know that while I was running across continents, people were rallying behind this mission,” she said. Right now, she’s about a quarter of the way toward her $80,000 fundraising goal and still accepting donations.
“Running these marathons was tough,” she admitted, ” But I learned in those long, solitary miles that I am a lot stronger than I think when my motivation is for the right reasons.”
Giving back through running isn’t new for Warrier. She’s been a volunteer pacer for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon for several years. She says she plans to be at the start line this November, too. You can hear more from Warrier in an upcoming episode of The Running Around Charlotte Podcast, so stay tuned for that!
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