@MariaDConceicao @MCF_UAE Visionary Humanist Set to Run 7 Ultramarathons on 7 Continents in 7 Weeks

Visionary Humanist Set to Run 7 Ultramarathons on 7 Continents in 7 Weeks

Maria Conceicao Aims to Secure Two Guinness World Records and Raise $1 million

Maria Conceicao, Founder of the Maria Cristina Foundation, who became the first Portuguese woman to summit the Everest earlier this year, has set her sight on a double Guinness World Record attempt in 2014. She has been training for the past six months to run one of the world’s toughest endurance races - seven full-distance 50km ultra marathons, to be run on each of the seven continents, across seven weeks; first of the seven events will commence in Antarctica in January 2014.

Maria Conceicao said: “My aim is simple – to raise $1 million 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. Running these seven ultra-marathons is going to be the toughest challenge I have ever taken on, but that is nothing compared to the daily struggle our kids face on the streets of Dhaka.

“For the past nine years MCF has nurtured and fostered hundreds of young boys and girls who have shown tremendous potential to pursue higher education. I would like to secure educational scholarships and employment opportunities worldwide, to formulate a sustainable long-term partnership with corporations and educational bodies. The Foundation has placed 35 young adults in jobs in the UAE and Oman since 2005, and 5 number of young students are currently studying in the UAE under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nayhan Bin Mubarak Al Nayhan. Currently, we have 529 dwellers registered under our two flagship programs, known as “Butterflies” and “Catalysts” projects waiting for scholarships, educational support, or employment opportunities in Bangladesh and abroad.”

777 Ultramarathon Route 1.    Jan 26 -  Antarctica 2.    Feb 2 - South America 3.    Feb 7 - Asia 4.    Feb 16 - Europe 5.    Feb 23 - Australia 6.    Mar 2 - North America 7.    Mar 15 – Africa

The 777 Challenge is a formidable undertaking – Maria will run a full ultra-marathon every weekend for seven weeks, one on each of the seven continents of the world, starting with Antarctica in January, then proceeding to South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia in February, and on to North America and Africa in March. Ziyad Rahim, Maria Conceicao’s mentor has been responsible for all the logistical arrangements of the challenge.

The 777 Challenge is being supported by Etihad Airways, NAMA, Right Bite and UPANDRUNNING Sports Medical Centre.

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, is the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial aviation. Today, in just ten years it has established itself as the world’s leading airline. Looking into its CSR activities for the year 2014, the airline has chosen to support the Maria Cristina Foundation with the 777 Ultramarathon, by providing flight tickets to London, Melbourne, Ney York and Johannesburg.

Right Bite is supporting the cause by providing Maria with a dietitian that takes care of her daily nutritional requirements, and a chef that prepares meals on a daily basis based on her health and fitness requirements. One percent of all packages sold by Right Bite as of 1 December 2013, for a period of six months, until May 2014 will go to the Maria Cristina Foundation via PROVAAT. Additionally, a Dynamic Donation Counter displaying the donation amount generated will be featured at Right Bite online website.

UPANDRUNNING Sports Medical Centre provides Maria with subsidized personal training, sports massages, sports counselling, physiotherapy, medical training in first aid, as well as vaccinations.

Dr Anna Zickerman, Medical Director and Owner, UPANDRUNNING Sports Medical Centre, said: “We wish Maria all the best with this challenging event. The psychological and physical demands of this event are immense, and we are pleased to be involved in the process of keeping her fit, mentally focused and ready to meet the challenge.”

Each race is an official and fully sanctioned marathon recognized by the Guinness World Records organisation, and Maria has her sights set on claiming not one but two such records. One: the fastest time to complete an ultramarathon on each continent (Female), and two: the fastest aggregate time to complete an ultramarathon on each continent (Female).

Maria, who has already summited Mount Everest, trekked to the North Pole, summited Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro, and climbed Denali in support of her charity, amongst many others.

Maria has been recognized by various institutions for her effort. Among some of her recent achievements she has been nominated for the Portugal Athlete of the Year 2013, Sustainable Leadership Award 2013, Great Child Welfare Award 2012, Most Inspiring Woman in GCC 2012, Emirates Woman of the Year 2009, Humanitarian Woman of the Year 2009, and Most Inspiring and Exceptional European Woman of the Year 2007.