Richard Donovan The World Marathon Challenge is a logistical and physical challenge to become the first person to run seven marathons on seven continents in less than seven days. Richard Donovan, an Irish international ultra runner, is scheduled to begin this effort on Saturday, 31st January 2009. He hopes to run the 42.2km distance (26.2 miles) in Antarctica, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America and finally Australia, finishing on Thursday 5th February 2009rld Marathon Challenge is a logistical and physical challenge to become the first person to run seven marathons on seven continents in less than seven days.