GP finishes seven-continent charity run a day early

Published on 01/12/2012 12:00

A CITY GP who undertook the challenge of running seven ultra marathons on seven ­continents in a week has ­completed the ­adventure with a day to spare.

Andrew Murray, 32, went to Antarctica, Patagonia, Atlanta, London, Egypt, Dubai and Australia, running 50km at each in five-and-a-half days.

But despite battling some of the most hostile conditions in the world, he said a lack of sleep was his biggest challenge.

“The toughest part of the whole challenge was jetlag,” he said. “I’ve run a fair bit of ultra marathons and long-distance events, but I’ve never had to contend with so many airline meals and also with constantly being on your feet.”

Dr Murray wanted to promote the benefits of exercise and raise £10,000 for charity. He said: “It was absolutely epic. There were some amazing places to run, some amazing places to see.

“I started off in Antarctica, where I ran the Ice Marathon, surrounded by these ­enormous mountains and actually running in a glacier, then moved on to some spectacular sights in south America, north America, London, the great pyramids of Egypt and Dubai before finishing up on the ­Harbour Bridge in Sydney.