A Wisconsin doctor is preparing for the feat of a lifetime to spread awareness about the most prevalent cancer affecting young people.
Milwaukee surgeon Dr. T. Clark Gamblin spoke to Fox News Digital about his upcoming participation in the World Marathon Challenge. The competition involves running seven marathons on seven consecutive days on seven continents.
The first marathon will be held in Antarctica on January 31, 2025. From there, Gamblin and the other participants will travel to Cape Town, South Africa. Perth, Australia. and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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From there, Gamblin will fly to Madrid, Spain, and Fortaleza, Brazil, before running his final race in Miami. He and his fellow marathon runners would log 193 miles in one week.
Dr. T. Clark Gamblin, a cancer surgeon who battled testicular cancer, is competing in the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven consecutive days on seven continents. (Dr. Jean Gamblin)
The competition is fast-paced, so it's not exactly a relaxing vacation for participants.
“Over the course of seven days, you'll spend about 60 hours on the plane,” Gamblin said. “So run, become a plane, run, and become a plane.”
“If you prepare and train correctly, it's no mean feat.”
It may seem physically impossible for a human to run seven marathons in seven consecutive days, but the World Marathon Challenge has captivated runners around the world for nearly a decade. Gamblin started training for the race a year ago.
“There's no question this is a physical challenge, but there are a lot of things that are more physically demanding than people have done before,” he said. “If you prepare and train correctly, it's no mean feat.”
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Gamblin has his whole team behind him. The World Marathon Challenge organization will be responsible for arranging flights and hotels for all participants. Gamblin, a cancer surgeon, also enlisted the help of a hospital dietitian to help her reach her protein and water goals.
He also has a physical trainer to help prevent injuries, but he said the person who has helped Gamblin the most is his wife.
Dr. T. Clark Gamblin spoke to Fox News Digital about participating in the World Marathon Challenge. (Fox News Digital / Dr. Jean Gamblin)
“She's like my biggest cheerleader,” Gamblin said. “She’s not a very good runner, but she’s been a big part of helping me prepare for this and getting me ready.”
“But right behind her is my running coach, nutritionist and physical therapist. So it takes a team to prepare for something like this.”
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Gamblin, who specializes in liver and bile duct cancers, became interested in running marathons as a medical student. During the World Marathon Challenge, he will be running for the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation.
Gamblin is a cancer survivor himself, so the cause is close to his heart, and he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018 after noticing a lump.
Gamblin has been working with a nutritionist and physical trainer to prepare for the seven-day marathon challenge. (Dr. Jean Gamblin)
“I thought it was probably nothing, but I was very diligent and got tested right away and found out it was testicular cancer,” he explained. “And testicular cancer is the No. 1 cancer affecting men between the ages of 15 and 45.”
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According to the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation, 1 in 250 men will develop testicular cancer in their lifetime.
“As a cancer surgeon, I was giving a lot of advice, and now I have to apply the advice I was given to my own life,” Gamblin said.
“The most interesting thing will be the Antarctic race. It will be a very unique environment and climate to run in.”
After chemotherapy and two surgeries, he has now been cancer-free for four years.
Gamblin's desire to spread awareness fueled the long and arduous training he underwent in preparation for the 168-hour feat.
Despite the challenges, he said he is looking forward to the simple pleasures of the race, such as getting to know fellow runners.
Starting in January, Gamblin plans to run marathons on every continent, including Antarctica. (Dr. Jean Gamblin)
“It's going to be a very unique group of people as well,” he said. “I am prepared to build lifelong friendships and listen to others.”
Gamblin documents his marathon journey through his Instagram account @tclarkgamblin. He is most excited about running in Antarctica.
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“Very few people have run a marathon there,” he says. “It's going to be a very unique environment and climate to run in.”
In Miami, Gamblin will meet his family at the finish line.
Gamblin said he hopes his story inspires others to reach their potential. (Dr. Jean Gamblin)
“I think too often we don't set our goals high enough in life,” the doctor said. “We're not taking enough risks…This is a risk and it's within reach for me.”
The doctor said the aim was to encourage others to aim higher than usual.
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“A lot of times, the body does what the mind tells it to do,” Gamblin added.
“And I think we can challenge ourselves and go far beyond the limits we set for ourselves.”
