A SCOTTISH dad is set to embark on a major challenge to complete seven marathons in seven days on seven different continents.
Bobby White , 45, from Clydebank, is preparing to set off for the World Marathon Challenge later this month, raising funds for a Scottish charity.
White told The National that he was inspired to take part in the challenge after coming home from a family holiday in Dubai.
"I didn't cover myself in much glory on New Year's Eve, I felt overweight. I thought, I need to change my life around," White shared.
White has run plenty marathons before in memory of his brother Anton, who passed away in 2004 from a heart condition - raising more than £75,000 for the Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, which looked after him.
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This challenge is no different. White has raised more than £17.5k already for the charity, with the hopes of passing a total of £100k by the end of the challenge..
The World Marathon Challenge sees athletes travel more than 55,000 miles to complete seven marathons in seven consecutive days. There are less than 250 people who have actually completed it.
The challenge will start in Ultima Base in Antarctica on January 31, before heading to Cape Town in South Africa (February 1), Perth in Australia (February 2), Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (February 3), Madrid in Spain (February 4), Fortaleza in Brazil (February 5) and Miami in the United States (February 6).
White has been training for the World Marathon Challenge since January last year.
"I've run marathons previously but never really got in great shape," he said.
"I've done marathons on 10 days' notice, I've run a marathon on six weeks' notice without being fit, so I know I've got the determination, but I've never applied myself too greatly."
But things have begun falling into place, and White feels a lot more prepared to take on this extreme endurance challenge.
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He explained: "My legs are fit, my body is fit, but I think it's going to be mentally draining going through a different time zone."
White will have just hours in between each marathon, which will largely be spent travelling on planes to get to the next destination.
While on some flights he will be treated to business class, White will arrive in Antarctica on a cargo plane – and the actual run will take place on an airfield.
"It's going to be some experience," White said, "I think Antarctica is probably the one I'm looking forward to most, because you're just running on snow.
"It's surreal – nobody can just book a holiday or go on runs there."
White encouraged other people to "dream big" and get involved in similar challenges.
"I'm 45 now, and I booked this in when I was 44. I had a couple of little health issues, and I knew this couldn't keep happening, I need to get healthier.
"If you're sitting there in a dark place, get out there and exercise and move your body. The best thing you can get is your health."
Click here to find out more and donate to the fundraiser.
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