One Man Set to Run 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents

One man will prove his love for children in need this valentine's season by attempting to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents.

USANA True Health Foundation, a USANA Health Sciences' charity, is supporting marathon runner, adventure mountain climber and speaker Mike Allsop on his 777 Project, which will benefit the KidsCan nonprofit organization in New Zealand.

Allsop's adventure will be tracked via GPS. For each leg of the marathon he completes, additional money will be raised for KidsCan.

The daunting journey begins 16 February 2013 and proceeds as follows:

16 February - Falkland Islands (Antarctic ecozone)
17 February - Santiago, Chile (South America)
18 February - Los Angeles (North America)
19 February - London (Europe)
20 February - Casablanca, Morocco (Africa)
23 February - Hong Kong (Asia)
24 February - Auckland, New Zealand (Oceania)

"Partnering with the USANA True Health Foundation on this project is the perfect fit," Allsop said. "I've been taking USANA's products for a while now and have been quite astounded with the results. I believe in USANA's products, and I believe in the foundation's mission to help people in need, and that's exactly what KidsCan charity mission is all about."

KidsCan is an organization dedicated to supporting the physical and nutritional needs of disadvantaged New Zealand children. It aims to help children to reach their full life potential.

The USANA True Health Foundation donated NZ$2,000 to KidsCan during a celebration in Auckland 2 February. The foundation will donate an additional NZ$1,000 for each one of the seven marathons Allsop completes. If all seven legs are completed, the foundation will donate another NZ$1,000 bonus — with a possible donation totaling NZ$10,000.

"Mike is a great role model," said USANA True Health Foundation President Elaine Pace. "His goals and values surrounding this project are very similar to the mission of the USANA True Health Foundation. We're proud to support Mike's philanthropic and physical efforts to help motivate and inspire disadvantaged children."

As part of Allsop's own philanthropic efforts he regularly visits high schools and colleges, talking to teenagers about goal-setting and achieving their own dreams.