About 777
The Hope Runs 777 is an endurance running challenge: 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 weeks. This Guinness World Record breaking endeavor will push our team members to their personal limits with the goal of bringing fundraising and awareness to the AIDS orphans of East Africa. At Hope Runs, we run with the children. With the 777 Challenge, we can run for the children.
Hope Runs uses running as a primary community builder in areas where structured after school activities and comprehensive programs in athletics are unheard-of luxuries. Using the enthusiasm, health, and community that grows from the running project, Hope Runs then implements programming in health, the arts, community development, social entrepreneurship, and education to make sure these children succeed in their lives beyond the home.
Hope Runs grew out of a marathon training program in a Kenyan orphanage. Since that time, school performance among the runners is up, disciplinary action is down, and no one is telling us that “girls can’t run.” The kids have now competed in more than ten races from 5-42km in both Kenya and Tanzania, and they are still going strong.
The 777 Challenge was a great way to combine the love of running that is central to our work with a platform that brings an understanding of the challenges these AIDS orphans face everyday. Raising both funding and awareness for the cause of these children, the 777 Challenge represents a sacrifice, dedication and commitment that many have said is impossible. But we hear that word a lot.
People also say these kids’ beating the odds to have healthy, productive lives is impossible. We simply consider that untrue. And so 777 is going to show everyone–including our kids–exactly how far commitment and perseverance can take you.
The challenge aims to shatter numerous previous Guinness World Records, including:
- Fastest combined time for a woman to complete 7 marathons on 7 continents
- Combined running time of 7 marathons in 7 continents.
