From Antarctica to Miami: Julie Kulawiec’s Epic Quest to Run 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days
Julie Kulawiec, MTM Health’s Vice President of Business Development, is about to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges while turning her miles into meaningful support for breast cancer research and care. She’s raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as she prepares to complete the legendary 777 World Marathon Challenge: seven full marathons across seven continents in seven consecutive days.
The World Marathon Challenge is among the planet’s most extreme endurance events: runners must finish seven full marathons (each clocking in at 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers) on seven different continents within a 168-hour window. The 2026 journey will begin in the remote, icy expanse of Ultima Basecamp in Antarctica and continue to locations on every other continent, including Cape Town in Africa, Perth in Australia, Dubai in Asia, Madrid in Europe, Fortaleza in South America, and Miami in North America.
Athletes face brutal conditions, including sub-zero Antarctic cold, scorching heat in Perth, relentless jet lag, minimal sleep, and roughly 183 miles of running combined with tens of thousands of kilometers in the air. Only 244 people have ever finished, earning membership in the exclusive Intercontinental Marathon Club. The 2026 edition is set to run from January 31 in Antarctica through February 6 in Miami.
Julie’s love for running started during a college running class she jokingly calls her “most important” one. After her son was born in 1996, she began logging longer distances as a way to relieve stress, completing her first marathon in 1998—an experience that hooked her for life. She has since went on to finish 13 full marathons and numerous half-marathons, qualifying for the Boston Marathon in 2002 as a major personal achievement while always striving to improve her times.
She first discovered the World Marathon Challenge online. At first it seemed impossible, but its unique promise—seeing the world while stepping far outside her comfort zone—captured her imagination. After researching the event and speaking with several past finishers, who all described it as one of the most incredible and difficult things they’d ever done, Julie decided it was the perfect win-win: global adventure paired with the chance to raise money for a cause close to her heart.
Beyond the physical test of running 183+ miles in a week, this challenge is deeply personal for Julie. As a former oncology nurse, she saw firsthand the grueling effects of radiation and chemotherapy, even in patients with stage 1 diagnoses. She has lost family members and close friends to breast cancer, including her cousin, who was just one year older than Julie herself and passed away within seven months of diagnosis. These experiences drive home how quickly life can change, motivating Julie to seize every opportunity to make an impact. “If these patients could take months and sometimes years of extremely difficult and brutal treatments, I can be ‘uncomfortable’ for a week running to help them,” she says.
Her position on the Susan G. Komen Board of Directors made the connection to the foundation a natural fit. Drawing from her nursing background and her current role at MTM Health—where she helps ensure our clients’ Medicaid and Medicare members can reach life-saving medical appointments through reliable non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)—Julie sees powerful parallels in removing barriers to health, whether through medical access or personal resilience.
Training has been demanding: high mileage, strength work, healthy nutrition, and careful injury prevention. She scheduled smartly to balance her MTM Health responsibilities; long runs on weekends, shorter runs and strength sessions during the week, with built-in rest days. Mentally, she takes it one mile at a time: “If you can run one mile, you can run two.” She’ll also lean on the support of 59 fellow runners from 20 countries who will encourage each other along the way. Knowing donors are invested gives her extra determination not to quit.
Julie hopes the experience will deepen her understanding of resilience and personal growth while allowing her to connect with a diverse global group of athletes. Her message to anyone inspired to chase their own big goal, whether in running, advocacy, or life, is simple and powerful: step out of your comfort zone, gather the support you need, and take the first step. You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try.
Julie’s week-long run is about more than endurance—it’s about turning personal strength into collective progress in the fight against breast cancer. Her story is proof that pushing your limits on the road can help move the needle for those who need it most.
