Belgian runner Hilde Dosogne, aptly nicknamed 'Marathon Woman', has set a new women's world record by completing 151 marathons since the start of the year, as reported by DH Les Sports and Het Laatste Nieuws. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by Australian Erchana Murray-Bartlett, who completed 150 marathons in as many days just over a year ago. Dosogne’s feat involved running 6,370 km, nearly the distance between Paris and New Delhi.
Dosogne, a 54-year-old bioengineer and mother of four children aged 16 to 25, took on this challenge to test her limits. Despite various obstacles such as the stomach flu, muscle infections, snow, and sleet, she maintains an average speed of over 10 km/h, completing each marathon in around 4 hours. 'I embarked on this challenge to satisfy my curiosity and find an answer to the question of whether I could push my own limits again,' Dosogne shared.
Not content with just setting the women's record, Dosogne aims to surpass the combined men's and women's record by running a marathon every day until December 31, 2024. The current record holder, Briton Gary McKee, ran 365 marathons in 2022. With 2024 being a leap year, Dosogne's goal involves completing 366 marathons in one year, an endeavor that would solidify her place in marathon running history.
The daily routine of running eight five-kilometer laps and another half-loop around the Watersportbaan in Ghent can be monotonous, Dosogne admits. Nevertheless, she finds strength in her mental resilience and the encouragement from others who join her on these runs. 'It's the same thing every day, but that's no reason to give up. The mind is my great strength,' she noted.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Dosogne has raised nearly 18,000 euros for BIG, an association dedicated to breast cancer research. Her story serves as an inspiration, not just for marathon runners, but for anyone looking to push their limits and support meaningful causes. 'For those who are new to running, I certainly would not recommend running a marathon every day,' she advises. 'But everyone can progress in their own way and go much further than they think.'
- Running a marathon every day for such an extended period requires immense physical and mental endurance. Dosogne undergoes regular medical checks to ensure her health parameters remain constant.
- Inspired by her record-breaking journey, Dosogne's story has garnered significant media attention and public interest, motivating others to possibly take on similar challenges.
- Her commitment to raising funds for the BIG against breast cancer association underscores the philanthropic potential of athletic pursuits. Her contributions help advance crucial research in breast cancer treatment and prevention.
