African-American Woman Shatters World Record for Finishing 26.2-Mile Marathons on Seven Continents

Lisa Davis in Antarctica

ST. LOUIS – Feb. 1, 2017 – PRLog — Shalisa “Lisa” Davis of Suffolk, VA, a retired Marine major, set a new world record for women by finishing 26.2-mile, public marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica, in seven days, thirty minutes. The previous Guinness world record was over seven days, twenty-three hours.

The road to the record book, started at the Australia Day Marathon in Perth, Australia on January 25. The next stops were the Singapore Beach Marathon (Asia; 1/26), Marathon Cairo (Africa; 1/27), Amsterdam’s Sri Chimnoy Marathon (Europe; 1/28), NYC’s Inauguration Day International Marathon (North America; 1/29), Chile’s Southern Cross Marathon (South America; 1/30) and Antarctica’s White Continent Marathon; 1/31).

Lisa said, “It was really tough! I had to dig deep to get it done. Being sick made it much more challenging.” Her motivation to pursue marathons was Oprah Winfred. “When I realized that Oprah ran the Marine Corp Marathon, as a Marine, it motivated me to run the race. I’ve been running ever since. Also, this wouldn’t have been possible without my supportive husband.”

The last twelve months have been busy for Lisa. She also became one of fewer than 100 people in the world to accomplish the “marathon hat trick.” In addition to finishing marathons on the seven continents, she ran her hundredth marathon on March 13, 2016 at the Newport News (VA) Marathon. And on September 4, 2016 at the Kauai (HI) Marathon, she completed running marathons in all fifty States.

Lisa, a native St. Louisian, is a member of several running clubs, including the National Black Marathoners Association (NBMA). Tony Reed, the NBMA’s Executive Director and marathon hat trick finisher says, “It takes a lot of energy to run one marathon. But to run seven marathons in seven days on seven continents takes a lot of stamina and focus. It becomes more mental than physical.” Lisa went on to say, “When my body feels tired and my mind starts to waiver that’s when I run from my heart. I just dig deep….forward relentless progress!”

She’ll be recognized for her accomplishments at the NBMA’s Distance Running Hall of Fame Banquet at the GO! St. Louis Marathon on April 8. For more information, visit

http://www.blackmarathoners.org/2016/10/31/2017-annual-su…