Methuen runner Sandy Lehane begins seven-marathons-in-seven-days challenge supporting Hopkinton’s Michael Lisnow Respite Center

A weeklong, globe-spanning endurance test tied to a local cause

Sandy Lehane of Methuen is preparing to attempt one of endurance running’s most logistically complex feats: completing seven full marathons on seven continents in seven consecutive days. The effort is intended to raise funds for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton, which provides respite and support services for children and adults with disabilities and their families.

The challenge, widely known as the World Marathon Challenge, requires participants to run the standard 26.2-mile distance daily, while traveling between continents on a tight schedule that compresses recovery time to hours rather than days. Organizers limit the field to a small cohort, with roughly 60 runners participating in the 2026 edition.

Route and logistics: seven races, seven locations, little downtime

The 2026 schedule begins January 31, 2026, with the opening marathon at Ultima Base in Antarctica. From there, the group is slated to continue to Cape Town, South Africa; Perth, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Madrid, Spain; Fortaleza, Brazil; and Miami, Florida. Participants are required to complete each race under time constraints, with travel and rest largely occurring in transit between destinations.

Across the week, runners cover approximately 183.4 miles. Conditions can vary sharply from day to day, ranging from extreme cold and wind in Antarctica to heat and humidity in later stages, creating additional operational demands for equipment, hydration planning, and medical support.

Training volume and a fundraising target

Lehane has built her running background through repeated marathon efforts, including 14 Boston Marathons, and has spent roughly a year training specifically for the seven-day format. Preparation has included high-mileage weeks and back-to-back long runs designed to simulate running on tired legs with limited recovery.

Her fundraising goal is $100,000 for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center. As of January 18, 2026, she had raised more than $82,000.

The Hopkinton center: respite, adult programs, and family support

Located at 112 Main Street in Hopkinton, the Michael Lisnow Respite Center describes its mission as creating a “home away from home” for families caring for individuals with disabilities. Its services include adult day programs, early-childhood respite care for children with significant disabilities and medical needs, employment supports, and additional family-focused programming.

The weeklong running schedule places runners on a daily cycle of travel, racing, and limited rest, turning logistics into a defining part of the athletic challenge.

• Event format: 7 marathons in 7 days across 7 continents
• Start date: January 31, 2026 (Antarctica)
• Planned finish: Miami, Florida
• Total distance: about 183.4 miles
• Fundraising goal: $100,000 for the Michael Lisnow Respite Center