Seven Marathons. Seven Continents. One Week. Paperback by Ellen Hunter Gans; Foreword by David Kelly

Product Details

• Publisher: Hatherleigh Press (2026-07-28)
• Language: English
• Paperback: 240 pages
• ISBN-13: 9781961293700
• Item Weight: 391.23 grams
• Dimensions: 22.83 x 15.27 x 1.52 cm

An Inspiring First-Hand Account of the Most Challenging Marathon Experience on the Planet

"…an unforgettable journey of exploration, discovery and triumph." —Dean Karnazes, New York Times bestselling author, ultramarathoner

The Great World Race is the legendary global endurance event that pushes athletes beyond physical and mental limits—completing seven full marathons on seven continents in just one week. From Antarctica’s frozen terrain to the sweltering heat of South America, runners face brutal conditions, extreme travel, and relentless fatigue, with no margin for error.

In Seven Marathons. Seven Continents. One Week., Ellen Hunter Gans takes readers inside her unforgettable adventure, highlighting the deeply human stories behind one of the world’s most extreme running accomplishments.

Each runner carried a different reason to be there: from the Welsh firefighter running to raise awareness of women in her field; to the first cancer survivor to summit Mount Everest; to Olympians, world-record holders, and extraordinary athletes from everyday life.

Together, they navigate physical pain, sleepless nights, and moments of doubt—forming an unlikely bond as they discover the power of community, humor, and courage in the most unexpected places.

Told from the author’s point of view at the back of the pack, Seven Marathons. Seven Continents. One Week., is a raw, hilarious, and inspiring account, sharing the stories of dozens of race participants. It’s a book about saying yes now and starting before you’re ready.

About the Author

Ellen Hunter Gans is an Ironman triathlete, ultramarathon champion, and 40-time marathon finisher—including seven marathons on seven continents in one week (on the Great World Race). She ran four of those seven with a venomous spider bite that she mistook for a torn ligament. The Twin Cities-based freelance writer has spent more than 15 years helping major brands tell their stories. She holds advanced degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Southern California. Ellen lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder that is wholly incompatible with running. She believes limits are mostly just suggestions that talk too loudly.