Light House Denver – A Belgian runner, Hilde Dosogne, 55 year, has made history as the first woman to complete a 42-kilometer marathon every day for an entire year. Her incredible achievement was dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research.
Hilde as a 55 year women covered an astounding total distance of at least 15,444 kilometers over the course of the year. Through her effort, she successfully raised €60,000 (approximately $65,000 USD). She expressed immense gratitude for completing this challenge.
Hilde said after crossing the finish line on the last day of her year-long journey, “I’m glad it’s finally over,” as APNews reported on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
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She has submitted all her running data, including GPS records, photos, and videos, to Guinness World Records for verification. Hilde now awaits confirmation that the record officially belongs to her.
The path to achieving this milestone was far from easy. Throughout her journey, Hilde faced numerous physical and mental challenges. She battled flu, COVID-19, painful blisters, and even suffered several accidents. However, she revealed that the mental strain was far more challenging than the physical toll.
“Mental pressure was harder than the physical challenges. Of course, physically, everything must be in good condition. Otherwise, you can’t run for four hours every day. But starting every single day was the toughest part mentally,” she shared.
Most of her marathons took place on relatively flat routes near the outskirts of Ghent, Belgium. She chose these areas to minimize physical strain and allow herself to stay consistent.
Hilde often ran slightly more than the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers, covering about 42.5 kilometers in each session. This was a deliberate decision to avoid any risk of statistical discrepancies during record verification.
Working as a biological engineer at a chemical company, Hilde often adjusted her work schedule to accommodate her runs. She would leave work early to ensure she could complete her marathons in the afternoons. Maintaining a steady pace of 10 kilometers per hour allowed her to sustain the daily runs without exhausting herself. It also enabled her to run alongside friends and witnesses, who supported her throughout the journey.
There was a particularly challenging moment during one of her runs when she fell at the 27-kilometer mark. The fall sprained her finger, and paramedics took her to the emergency room. Unfortunately, the time spent receiving medical attention meant she couldn’t complete her run on schedule.
Despite the injury and the strain, Hilde showed remarkable determination. Later that same day, she resumed her run, even though she hadn’t fully recovered. Her resilience in overcoming such setbacks exemplifies the incredible mental and physical strength required for such a feat.
Hilde’s story is one of dedication, perseverance, and an unyielding commitment to a cause. Her efforts not only pushed the boundaries of endurance but also brought attention and support to breast cancer research. While waiting for her record to be officially recognized, Hilde has already inspired countless others with her determination and heart.
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