Jan. 17--A 47-year-old Chicago attorney is taking fitness in the new year to a new level by attempting to run seven marathons on seven continents -- all within seven days.
Sarah Ames, a partner at Quarles Brady LLP, will join 11 other runners from around the world in Chile to kick off the World Marathon Challenge, which entails running consecutive certified marathons in Antarctica; Punta Arenas, Chile; Miami; Madrid; Marrakech, Morocco; Dubai; and Sydney. The first race is Jan. 23.
In several cities, the runners will be on the ground for less than 12 hours before heading to the next city. Each runner must pay $39,000 to participate in the event, a fee that covers, among other things: business-class flights, lodging, medical support on each continent, emergency medical evacuation insurance in Antarctica, video, T-shirts, medals and souvenirs, according to the event website.
"Will it hurt? Absolutely, I expect it to hurt," said Ames, an avid runner who already has run 39 marathons in her lifetime, including four marathons on each of the seven continents at separate times. "It's probably not that sensible of a thing to do, I think. But once in a lifetime, you can get away with it."
Ames learned about the World Marathon Challenge after befriending its organizer, who also puts on the North Pole Marathon and Antarctic Ice Marathon, which she has completed.
She said she liked the idea of challenging herself physically and mentally. And she also thought the challenge would be a great way to raise awareness for Hamlin Fistula, a nonprofit organization dedicated to offering medical care to mothers in Ethiopia for which she is a board member. Ames paid her own way to enter the challenge and has set up a Facebook page, Sarah Runs the World for Hamlin Fistula, where she plans to post updates on her journey and seek donations.
She made her decision to participate after accompanying World Marathon Challenge runners -- several of them friends -- on the journey last year when the event debuted.
To train she has logged some weeks with more than 100 miles, squeezing in runs between long hours as a corporate commercial, employment and immigration attorney for international companies.
"At first I thought I could never do this, and then I thought, 'Well, why not try it?'" Ames said.
Dr. Pietro Tonino, director of Sports Medicine at Loyola University Medical Center, said "it's pretty unusual" for an athlete to embark on such a challenge. "You almost wonder if she lost a bet or something."
Tonino said he advises patients who run even just one marathon to allow time -- as much as two to three months -- for their bodies to recover from stresses to the bones and other injuries associated with long-distance running.
Seven back-to-back marathons, along with adjustments the body must make to altitude and other factors, will definitely predispose its runners to injuries, Tonino said.
But he noted that dedicated athletes also have an amazing ability to perform in circumstances when others cannot, citing Michael Jordan who was able to play while suffering from the flu.
"The mind over matter kind of thing works sometimes in athletics where you're able to push through and participate in something," said Tonino, who added: "I never like to bet against a woman."
vortiz@tribpub.com
