The Demo Site

(November 18) We recently told you about you about how Dean Karnazes is working out the logistics to run a marathon in every country in 2012. That’s 200+ marathons in one calendar year.

Today, I received something similar in the “IN” Box. A Canadian ultra-marathoner named Martin Parnell is hoping to run 250 marathons in 2010! He’s inspired by – yep – Dean Karnazes. Parnell is hoping to raise $250,000 for Right to Play, “an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world”.

Unlike Karnazes, Parnell will be sticking close to home for his quest. The majority of the marathons will be run on the Cochrane Foothills Marathon course in Cochrane, Alberta. However, a number will be run at official marathons such as the Calgary, Boston and Vancouver and others at Schools and Events within a “reasonable distance” from Calgary.

The plan is for him to run an average five marathons a week; Fridays and Saturdays will be recovery days. An additional 12 days have been protected, in case of unforeseen circumstances. If successful, Parnell will cover a total distance of 6550 miles.

In addition to Karnazes, Parnell says he is inspired by Larry Macon, a sixty-four year old lawyer from San Antonio, who set the current Guinness World record for running the most marathons in one calendar year. In 2008, Macon ran 105 marathons. We’ll be keeping tabs on Parnell’s effort and we wish him luck in his journey.