Global Marathoners make history

Runners from more than 75 countries took to the streets of their cities, towns and suburbs on May 1-2 to take part in the inaugural AbbottWMM Global Marathon.

Runners aged 20 to 87 from Singapore to Switzerland, the Philippines to Peru, Hong Kong to Honduras donned their race bib, laced up their shoes and completed their 26.2 miles.  Groups of friends, husbands and wives, grandmothers supported by grandchildren on bikes, all set their own courses, aid stations and finish lines.

The success of the 1,100 finishers filled the social media feeds of the runners with Global Marathon content garnering more than half a million impressions on AbbottWMM channels across the two days, showing the true power of marathon running to engage and inspire.

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With the added incentive of 100 invites to the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships 2022 on offer, the level of competition amongst those aged 40 and above produced some impressive performances.

The first Wheelchair Global Marathon also took place this weekend with Marcel Hug of Switzerland taking the men’s honors with a time of 1:29:29 and Margriet Van den broek of the Netherlands topping the women’s podium in 2:02:11.

Executive Director of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Tim Hadzima said: “It was really amazing to see runners from all over the world make their own finish lines and be able to celebrate their achievement with their families and friends in lots of creative ways.”

The Global Run Club was created in August last year to provide a global community for marathon runners on a virtual platform to stay motivated and connect with other runners. The engagement in the club’s monthly challenges and races shows the spirit and enthusiasm of runners around to the world to connect, compete and train alongside runners of all ages and abilities across the continents.

WHAT THE RUNNERS SAID

Kelly Willis, USA: “What an incredible experience running the Global Marathon and being a part of such a special group of runners.  What amazing people with really touching stories.  They were so supportive and inspiring!”

Erik Toft, Denmark: “Dear fellow runners, congratulations to all. It’s been an epic weekend reading you updates, watching pics and videos from around the world. I feel lucky to have been part of this unique event.”

Steve Carter, England: “I loved being part of the inaugural AbbottWMM Global Marathon. To complete this challenge as one global team was so special. Wherever our finish line was around the world, it really felt like we ran as one. I can't wait to be part of the next one!”

Colin Bodels, Ireland: “To all the global athletes who raced and shared everything about this weekend. Running is more than people running, it’s a community, wonderfully demonstrated by everyone this weekend. Thank you ALL!”

Daniel Gan, Singapore: “What kept me going was runners from all over the world, although we are in different time zones and apart, we cheered each other on and able I was able to finish the marathon.”

Julio Suarez, Colombia: “The cap and medal are very beautiful. Congratulations and thank you for all your support and good energy.”

Lynn Chislett, UK: “I thoroughly enjoyed training for, and then taking part in the global run club virtual marathon. I thought the social media presence was great, and I really felt part of the event. All the hard work paid off and I got a PB of 03:44:02!”

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