World Marathon Challenge for Kalipay Foundation

Posted On April 14, 2022

The World Marathon Challenge is a logistical and physical challenge to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Competitors must run the standard 42.2 km marathon distance in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and North America within 168 hours, or 7 days. The clock starts when the first marathon begins in Antarctica.

A Filipina accepted this challenge. Let us get to know her and the foundation she has partnered with.

Please tell us something about yourself.

My name is Julie Uychiat.  I am 49 years old from Negros Occidental, Philippines.  I moved to the US when I was 20 years old.  I work as a Registered Nurse for an incredible organization and currently reside in Anthem, Arizona.  

Discovering running at a much later stage in life has been one the greatest gifts life has given me.  It came at a perfect time when I needed a lift, be reminded of my life’s purpose and overcome my self-imposed limitations.  Running has given me everything…my renewed self love,  my self confidence, my fearlessness, my gratefulness attitude and my purpose.  It has inspired my new direction and outlook.  It has taught me to push forward when things get difficult.  

How about your running and fitness background: how did you first get into running?

I come from zero running background.  I didn’t like running.  In 2015, my sister started running with my friend.  I remember asking her how she is able to run when I can’t even run from my house to the next stop sign without getting so short of breath.  She told me to just slow down my pace and keep going…further saying, “you won’t die.”  Her words stuck with me as I attempted to give running one more shot that afternoon.  I ran my very first 2.5 miles that day and remembered how incredible that feeling was.  

How long have you been running and how many events did you participate in?

In March of 2017,  I ran my first individual race which was a half marathon with my sister.  I was 43.  We decided to follow the 2:30 pacer.  I wasn’t serious about it at first, conversing with her while running, answering texts during the race until around mile 8-9 when I saw how serious and competitive other runners were and thought that maybe I should take it more seriously too.  I started giving it my best and got ahead of the 2:15 pacer to the finish.  This race gave me a glimpse of the possibilities although a full marathon was still out of the picture at that time.

In May 2017, two months after that race, I was at our main office in California for a meeting.  There were about 7-8 of us in the conference room.  A colleague  had his laptop open and told me that he won’t be starting the meeting until I signed up to do the St. George Marathon with him that October.  I quickly refused and told him to give me at least a year but he insisted.  I made a deal and told him that if there was another person in the room who would sign up with us then I will commit to doing it.  The first person I asked said yes without hesitation.  I didn’t know then that she was a runner so I was committed.

Marathon training presented opportunities  to discover the deepest parts of me at age 44.  I didn’t know I had the discipline, dedication and commitment to endure the hard work in spite of my very hectic work schedule and weekly travel commitments. 

I Boston qualified my first marathon that year and that opened things up to a whole new exciting world for me.  I am currently chasing the 6 Major Marathons in the world and since 2018 have completed 5 of 6 (Berlin, Chicago, Boston, New York and London).  From these races,  I have earned respectable world ranking in 2020 and have received an invite to run the Wanda Age Group World Championships in London last October 2021.  I ran my best world major marathon with a 3:27:10 finish.

I recently ran my best marathon time at Mt. Charleston in Vegas on April 2nd with a time of 3:16:43.

How did you come to the decision to run the World Marathon Challenge?

I have learned about the World Marathon Challenge since 2020 and have since been dreaming about running it one day.  Running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days is a huge undertaking and I know I couldn’t do it without a higher purpose.  

What made you choose Kalipay Negrense Foundation  as the beneficiary for your fundraising? Can you tell us more about Kalipay Negrense Foundation?

Kalipay Foundation has been in my heart since we did a mission trip to the Philippines in 2012 where we saw firsthand the amazing work that they do for the disadvantaged children of Negros.  

Kalipay Negrense Foundation Inc., is a non-profit foundation working for the causes of disadvantaged children – the homeless, abandoned, neglected, malnourished, physically and sexually abused, victims of child labor and trafficking, and foundlings. Kalipay is accredited by the Philippine Certified NGO Council.

How can they donate/ contribute to this fund raising?

Please support the Kalipay kids and support our cause. To donate, pls visit our gofundme account: https://gofund.me/51d5623e

or send donations to

Name:  Kalipay Negrense Foundation, Inc

BPI Actt No.: 001323 2563 45

Address:  Bacolod Capitol Subdivision Branch Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

If you could give a piece of advice to new runners what would it be? Do you have any tips for staying motivated?

I believe in Hal Elrod’s Miracle Equation

Unwavering Faith + Extraordinary Effort = Miracles.  

My marathon journey is a true testament to this.  In fact, this equation applies to every other area in our lives.  We just need to first believe that WE ARE LIMITLESS and put forth the effort to see the miracles happen.