After reaching the highest peak in the world, charity fundraiser Maria Conceicao is planning a series of record-breaking runs at various venues around the planet.
The 36-year-old Dubai resident, from Portugal, has trained for the past six months to compete in an ultra-marathon on each of the continents.
The 777 Challenge comprises seven 50-kilometre marathons, one run on each of the seven continents, over seven weeks. The first event takes place in Antarctica this month.
Ms Conceicao was the first Portuguese woman to climb Mount Everest. She has also trekked to the North Pole and climbed other summits for her charity – the Maria Cristina Foundation, which raises money for children in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In her latest challenge, she hopes to raise US$1 million (Dh3.67m), while also breaking two Guinness World Records.
“My aim is simple – to raise $1m and draw global attention to the foundation’s pioneering work, which has been to challenge the class system and to break the vicious cycle of poverty in Bangladesh by helping the impoverished to live up to their maximum potential,” Ms Conceicao said.
She said she would like to help children in Dhaka go to university through scholarships or help them find jobs in Bangladesh and abroad.
After Antarctica, Ms Conceicao is to compete in South America, Asia, Europe and Australia next month, moving on to North American and Africa in March.
Etihad Airways, Nama development company, Right Bite nutrition and catering company, and Upandrunning Sports Medical Centre are supporting Ms Conceicao’s 777 Challenge.
Each race in the ultra-marathon is recognised by Guinness World Records.
Ms Conceicao hopes to break the records for the fastest time for a female competitor to complete a marathon on each continent, and the fastest aggregate time for a female competitor on each continent.
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