Laurie Copeland

united states

Laurie is 65 years old from Florida. Running and Triathlons have filled her life with wonderful friends and adventures. She has completed 15 Ironman, including Kona twice. She has run over 70 marathons, including all 7 majors, Boston and several Ultras. One of the greatest adventures was to join Runbuk this year and complete the World Marathon Challenge, 777. Running 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 continents is a life highlight. The day after finishing the seventh race in Miami she had a cancerous soft tissue tumor removed from her leg. Unfortunately, she didn’t make her margins and needed a total of 4 surgeries. So she jumped at the opportunity to run the North Pole Marathon to force her to get back in shape after 3 months of rehab. She is looking forward to being a Grand Slam member.

Dawn Doucette

united states

My name is Dawn and I live in Tennessee with my wonderful (and supportive) husband of 15 years. I began running marathons in 2011 with the goal of running a marathon in each of the 50 states. After completion of that in 2021, I moved on to the WMM and the continents, which I finished in 2024. I look forward to completing the Marathon Grand Slam on this trip. I love to travel and enjoy being outside (preferably in cooler weather). I am looking forward to an unforgettable adventure!

David Dudek

united states

David Dudek became a member of the 7 Marathons Club® in 2016 after completing the Men's 100K in Antarctica, and he has been pursuing the prestigious Marathon Grand Slam Club® ever since. Based in Hong Kong, David continues to travel the globe in search of exotic and challenging races. He’s excited to return to Svalbard—this time with the goal of finally completing the North Pole Marathon and achieving a milestone years in the making.

James Elliot-Square

great britain

James is an active sportsman with a history of high-level team sports. His fitness achievements include completing 24-hour rowing sessions, marathons, burpee miles, and HYROX podium finishes. He enjoys long-distance rowing and running as hobbies. Recently, James completed eight half marathons in eight days, along with numerous self-organized marathons, in preparation for upcoming challenges.

Michael Girard

united states

Michael Girard is a retired emergency physician who lives in Colorado. He and his wife Susan enjoy travel, typically with a run or other event as an added bonus. Michael took up running later in life and is constantly trying to work his way up from the back of the pack. For this reason he prefers running events in the mountains or in challenging environments.

Susan Girard

united states

Susan Girard is a nurse who lives outside of Denver, Colorado. She and her husband Michael have traveled a great deal. Susan has finished two Ironman events and multiple half Ironmans in the United States. While not a huge fan of cold weather, she understands that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inadequate clothing.

Huiwen Hao

united states

Huiwen Hao was born in Beijing, China. In the last more than 20 years, she has been working as a psychiatrist in California. As a busy mother of 3 boys, she did not start her running journey until the kids were older and she turned 50. Running opened a whole new world for her. With the inspiration from her coaches, fellow runners in her club, as well as runners from all over the world, she has proudly earned the prestigious medals of 6 majors and 7 continents. She ran several events with the wonderful Runbuk, Inc. Her journey will continue soon at the top of the world, the North Pole.

Paul Holborn

great britain

canada

Paul Holborn grew up immersed in sports like football, tennis, and boxing, developing a deep-rooted passion for fitness from an early age. That passion led him to a professional boxing career, which he pursued until the age of 27. After nearly a decade away from competitive sport, Paul found himself missing the purpose and intensity that athletics once provided. That drive led him back—with a bold new goal: the World Marathon Challenge. Preparing for it reignited his commitment to health, discipline, and performance. Over 18 transformative months, he completed two marathons and five trail races, rediscovering not just his physical endurance, but also the joy and clarity that come with pushing limits. Now, Paul is thrilled to take on the North Pole Marathon and connect with fellow athletes and the dedicated team behind this extraordinary adventure.

Håkan Jonsson

sweden

Håkan is a retired radiologist from Sweden and a proud member of the 7 Continents Marathon Club. At nearly 75 years old, he continues to take on extraordinary challenges, having completed races such as the Ironman, Great Wall Marathon, Kilimanjaro Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Buenos Aires Marathon, Petra Desert Marathon, Antarctic Marathon, Mount Everest Base Camp Marathon, and the Ladakh Marathon. He also works closely with “Children Of The World” (Världens Barn), a Swedish charity dedicated to improving the lives of children around the globe.

RAM GOPAL KOTHARI

india

Ram Gopal Kothari is a passionate traveler from India with a lifelong mission to explore the extraordinary. Having visited 69 countries across all 7 continents, his adventures have always pushed boundaries. While he’s completed 25 half marathons to stay fit for his travels, he never planned to run a full marathon—until now. This summer, Ram will take on his very first full marathon at the geographic North Pole, running on the frozen Arctic Ocean at 90° North. Representing India in this iconic event, he may become the first Indian to complete a marathon at the top of the world. For Ram, this challenge is not about speed, but about resilience, exploration, and stepping beyond fear. To him, the North Pole Marathon is more than a race—it’s the ultimate journey beyond the edge of the map.

Marcel Kotrady

slovakia

Marcel is a former basketball player who, 13 years ago, discovered his passion for running and triathlons. He has completed 21 marathons, each in a different part of the world (including the Six-Star Finisher), such as on the frozen Lake Baikal, from Everest Base Camp, in Antarctica, and under Kilimanjaro. List of his achievements: https://www.behej.com/bezecke-tabulky/zavodnici/58532. He has embraced the world of triathlons, completing 8 full Ironman races, including one in the XTRI World Tour. His thirst for adventure extends to open-water long-distance swimming, having fearlessly swum races in the Bosphorus, Lake Baikal, and the cold Barents Sea. Marcel's sporting goal is to join the prestigious 7 Marathons Club, fully discover the world, and enjoy life.

Nicole Las

united states

Nicole Las first discovered the North Pole Marathon through a news story and was instantly intrigued. Although she didn’t start running regularly until after college, she has since completed 11 marathons along with numerous half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. She’s been preparing for this adventure since 2019 and is excited to finally experience the summer edition of the race and cross it off the top of her bucket list.

Nina Lin

china

Nina Lin is a former Fortune 500 executive turned communications and fintech investor. She holds a BA in International Trade and an MSc in Marketing Management from the United Kingdom. An Abbott Six Star Finisher, Nina has completed marathons on all seven continents. As a passionate adventurer, she has also hiked some of the world’s most iconic routes—from the Camino de Santiago to Japan’s Kumano Kodo (earning Dual Pilgrim status), and from Machu Picchu to Mount Kilimanjaro. Her journey spans boardrooms and mountain trails, guided by her personal 3R Compass: Read to illuminate, Run to transcend, Route to discover.

Mengfei Liu

united states

Mengfei Liu is a remarkable 13-year-old student at International School of Beijing(ISB), whose passion for running and heart for helping others have taken her on incredible journeys. What started as a pandemic-era discovery inspired by her mom has blossomed into a commitment to challenge herself and support causes like preterm infants care. She’s hiked the grueling Gobi Desert 3 times for charity (2022-2024), completed demanding hikes like the Tour du Mont Blanc at 12, and became the youngest finisher of the 777 World Marathon Challenge (2025). She also shares her Gobi experience as a youth coach and helps promote charity work as a youth charity ambassador. Beyond the trails and tracks, Mengfei loves expressing herself through the saxophone, writing, and art, enjoys getting lost in books, and thrives on adventures like skiing and travel. She’s aiming for the North Pole Marathon next, hoping her story encourages others – especially young people and preterm babies – showing that with spirit and perseverance, anyone can make a positive impact and embrace life’s adventures.

Ying Liu

china

Ying Liu (Jackie) - Global business Leader, Lifelong Learner and Marathon runner an EMBA from CEIBS (China Europe International Business School) Since beginning her journey in May 2020, Ying has run over 10,000 kms, completed five of the six World Marathon Majors. She recently have completed 2025 777 World Marathon Challenge successfully with her daughter Mengfei and established Fastest Mother & Daughter Duo in Half Marathon world record, aggregated time 40:44:07 hrs. As a parent and a global leader, Liu Ying is passionate about inspiring the next generation to embrace diversity, pursue excellence, and make a positive impact in an interconnected world

Yusheng Ni

china

Yusheng has completed over 450 marathon and ultramarathon races, including more than twenty 100k races and four 100-mile races, spanning all seven continents and over 80 countries and regions. He has achieved over 130 sub-3-hour marathons, with a personal best of 2:42. Yusheng has also completed the World Marathon Majors more than five times, participating in 31 races with an impressive average best time of 2:45 across the six majors, and securing 30 championship titles. In the summer of 2024, Yusheng completed the North Pole Marathon, famously known as the “World’s Coolest Marathon.” Just three months later, in November, he triumphed in the 100km race at the 2024 Antarctic Ice Ultra, finishing in 10 hours and 42 minutes. In December, at the 2025 Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k, he set a new event, course, and continental record for the 100km with an extraordinary time of 9 hours, 20 minutes, and 28 seconds. Beyond his exceptional achievements as a runner, he is the Chairman of Shenzhen Yuanteng Investment and Development Company, a leader in real estate construction and financial investment.

Tianyi Ni

china

Tianyi, a 16-year-old student from Beijing, began his running journey while living in Canada from age 7 to 10. During that time, he completed 49 races—including 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and two full marathons. His first marathon was completed in 3:47 at age 9, and his second in 4:02 at age 10. After returning to China, Tianyi took a break from racing but made a strong comeback in 2024, completing 10 half marathons. Most impressively, he completed the World Marathon Challenge this year, running half marathons on all seven continents in just 6 days!

Tina Pang

australia

Tina has completed nine marathons in Australia, mostly while wearing Vibram FiveFingers, embracing the minimalist running style. When she's not running, she enjoys swimming to stay active. Living in Western Australia, she faces geographic isolation but still manages to ski once a year, fueling her passion for cold and snowy environments. In November 2024, she completed the Ice Ultra at Ultima Base in Antarctica, gaining firsthand experience running on snow and in extreme conditions. Now, she’s preparing to take on the North Pole Marathon, eager to embrace another icy adventure and proudly declare, "Veni, vidi, vici."

Karime Pinera

mexico

Karime is a lifelong endurance athlete who ran for over 20 years, completing races on all seven continents—twice—as well as the North Pole and all six World Marathon Majors. After decades of running, her knees could no longer take the miles, and doctors advised her to stop. In December 2024, she walked the Antarctic Ice Marathon as a powerful farewell to competitive running, determined to cross one final finish line. But while her running chapter closed, her spirit for adventure did not. Karime now seeks out extraordinary places to walk—and what could be more spectacular than trekking across the frozen sea at the North Pole? She looks forward to this next extreme challenge and to meeting fellow adventurers along the way.

Becca Pizzi

united states

Becca Pizzi is the first female polar marathon director and a two-time winner of the World Marathon Challenge. A lifelong runner, she has completed marathons in all 50 states and all 6 World Marathon Majors. Becca recently won the Volcano Marathon on Easter Island and has competed twice in the Ironman World Championship—once in Nice, France, and once in Kona, Hawaii. In December 2024, she completed the Antarctic Ice Marathon, and now she’s preparing to take on the North Pole Marathon, continuing her pursuit of the world’s most extreme and iconic races.

Kavitha Ponduri

united states

india

Kavitha Ponduri is a passionate runner and hiker from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Alongside her husband Vasu, she has taken on adventures like Kilimanjaro, Acatenango, and Everest Base Camp. Together, they’ve completed the Abbott Six Star Marathon and run across five continents, including Antarctica. Inspired by the Antarctica Ice Marathon, Kavitha is drawn to unique races—making the North Pole Marathon, run on a drifting ice floe in extreme conditions, a perfect fit. For her, the true reward of running is sharing these stories with her patients to inspire them to stay active.

Srinivas Ponduri

united states

india

Srinivas Ponduri is a dedicated runner from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He began as a casual half marathoner and has since completed the Abbott Six Star Marathon series, running on five continents. He’s set to run the Sydney Marathon in August and is planning for Cape Town in 2026. Alongside his wife, he also enjoys hiking and has taken on challenges like Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp. Connecting with runners from around the world and hearing their stories continues to fuel his passion for the sport.

Maria Sahota

norway

Maria was born in Pakistan, raised under Norway’s vast skies, and now calls Singapore home. Driven by an unyielding passion for testing her limits, she made history as the first Norwegian woman to complete the Antarctica Marathon, a feat that marked her resilience and determination. She thrives on both mental and physical challenges, seeing each as a chance to push her boundaries and strengthen her mindset—something she believes is the cornerstone of all achievement. True to her adventurous spirit, she conquered the Aurora Marathon in Norway, a race she fondly calls ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ where the dazzling northern lights meet the brutal cold of her homeland. Now, she is setting her sights on her next great challenge: the North Pole Marathon, where the icy wilderness will push her endurance to new extremes.

Robert Schimek

united states

Rob enjoys the physical and mental challenge of extreme events. He is a three-time competitor in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii (‘15, ‘17, and '22); three-time competitor in the World’s Toughest Mudder, a 24-hour endurance event in Nevada (‘14, ‘16, and ‘17), and he has completed the World’s Major Marathons—London, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo—along with Philadelphia, Singapore and Hong Kong. In addition to these races, Rob has taken on marathons in extreme conditions, including Antarctica 2023 and the Aurora Marathon 2025. Now, he’s looking forward to his next adventure—the North Pole, where the challenge will be unlike any he has faced before. He currently lives in Singapore, where temperatures range between hot and hotter, but he has prepared for cold weather over the years by tailgating at Philadelphia Eagles games and drinking ice-cold beer with his friends.

Jingbiao Shan

china

Jingbiao Shan is a global wine trade entrepreneur based in Tokyo. He completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2018 and has run on all seven continents, including the North Pole and the Mount Everest Base Camp Marathon. As one of the earliest members of the Seven Continents Marathon Club, this marks his second time participating in the North Pole Marathon. Passionate about fitness and drawn to challenging races, he’s especially excited to share this experience with his 5-year-old son.

Chunyu Shao

china

Chunyu is the director of an investment and real estate development company in Shenzhen, China, specializing in real estate construction and financial investment. New to running, she has completed 12 half marathons and an 8-day, 8-state, 8-5K challenge in the United States. In November 2024, she completed the half marathon distance at the Ice Ultra at Ultima Base in Antarctica, followed by finishing the Antarctic Ice Marathon in December. Now, she’s excited to return to the top of the world and take on the North Pole Marathon in July 2025.

Molly Sheridan

united states

Molly Sheridan is an ultramarathon runner, speaker, coach, and author of Running Past Midnight. Molly has run over 85 ultramarathons including Marathon des Sables, and the Badwater 135. She was the 1st American women to complete 222 kilometers at 5400 meters in the race La Ultra The High in the Himalayas. Molly completed the World Marathon Challenge, 7 marathons, 7 continents in 7 days February 2025. She is a Global Ambassador for the non-profit Swataleem Foundation, supporting underprivileged girls in India. And she is the owner of Desert Sky Adventures a race management company dedicated to helping people run, walk, and move for health and adventure.

Rimantas Simaitis

lithuania

Professor Dr. Rimantas Simaitis, MCIArb, is a partner, the head of the Dispute Resolution Department at Pan-Baltic Law Firm COBALT and teaches at Vilnius University’s Faculty of Law. He also chairs the Arbitration Commission of the Lithuanian Bar, contributing actively to the legal and academic communities. Outside of law, he’s an avid endurance athlete, having completed multiple Ironman races, marathons and ultramarathons, including in Antarctica.

SASKIA VAN DER DRIFT

netherlands

Saskia van der Drift began running in 2018 after accepting a bet to complete a marathon within one year, despite having no prior experience. She achieved this goal without injury, sparking a passion for running. Since then, she has completed the Everest Basecamp Marathon at 5,300 meters, the Patagonia Marathon, and several standard marathons. A lover of cold climates and mountaineering, Saskia's enthusiasm is unique for someone living below sea level in the Netherlands.

Yufei Zhu

china

Yufei Zhu is an amateur runner living in Tokyo. She completed all six World Marathon Majors before turning 30 in 2019 and joined the Seven Continents Marathon Club in 2024. In June 2019, she trekked 14 days to Everest Base Camp and completed the marathon there, followed by the Machu Picchu Marathon later that month. The North Pole Marathon is her first race since the pandemic, and she’s proud to participate alongside her 5-year-old son.