Dan Little, of Madill’s Little Law Firm, has ran all over the world. He has competed in nine marathons including the 777 Great World Race – seven marathons, on seven continents in seven days.
Little has competed in this event three times beginning in 2019, then in 2023 and now, the 2024 world marathon event. Each time Little set the world record for the eldestrunnerintherace.This year, he was a week shy of turning 82 years old but set the record at 81.
Little set his own personal challenge for 2024 doing two additional marathons making it a total of nine within 24 days, which he achieved. A marathon is 26.2 miles long.
In his 81 years, he has run in 263 marathons and ultramarathons. Little said he has to dig deep to reach the finish line.
“At times, while running, it becomes very spiritual, you have to reach deep within to keep going,” he said.
He began the first of the nine marathons with the Marine Core Marathon in Washington DC on October 27. Not long after on November 5, he ran in the New York City Marathon for the 28th time.
Then, the beginning of the 777 Great World Race took him to his first of the next seven located in Wolf Fang, Antarctica. He was joined by 54otherrunnersforanamazing adventure that is a true measure of their endurance and determination. The 777 race has runners of all kinds from all parts of the world.
With a back injury from heavy luggage and fatigue from travel and nearly no sleep, Little set off on the second of the seven located in Cape Town, Africa. The third marathontooktherunnersto Perth, Australia. Little said he pushes past the pain to complete the events.
“It’s painful at first the endorphins don’t kick in until mile 4, then the running becomes much easier,” he said.
The marathon group flew to Istanbul, Turkey for the fourth and fifth marathons. In this event, two continents join together, as Asia was the fourth location and Europe was the fifth.
The runners cover some major ground at this point. The sixth marathon took them all to Cartagena, South America.Finally,hewrapped up this worldly adventure in Miami,Florida.Not only does Little love to run, he loves the friendships that emerge from the events.
“I love making lifelong friendships, creating bonds, the camaraderie, and shared experiences with other runners and friends,” Little said.