Man from Grand Manan, N.B., set to run seven marathons worldwide in mid-November
In two weeks’ time, a New Brunswick native will be running 295 kilometres in just seven days. Despite being nearly 68 years old, Pete Benson, a resident of Grand Manan, N.B., has signed up to participate in the Great World Race, a seven-day event during which Benson will fly around the world to complete seven marathons, one on each of the seven continents. Benson will be one of 60 athletes to run the Great World Race this year. The event offers full and half marathon options, with both men’s and women’s divisions.
The idea of running one marathon per day, on a new continent each day, for a week, seems impossible. Nevertheless, Benson will fly from continent to continent to compete. This includes a private charter jet from Cape Town, South Africa, to Antarctica and back. A small group of Great World Race staff will accompany Benson and his fellow athletes around the world to handle logistics, such as preparing the race venues upon arrival. Two doctors and four physical therapists also travel with the athletes.
The first Great World Race was held in 2024, organized by Irish doctor David Kelly. By running this year, Benson will be the fifth Canadian runner to ever partake in the Great World Race. Canada has had a strong showing in the men’s half and full marathon categories. There has yet to be a Canadian woman to attempt the Great World Race.
Benson, who only started running as a hobby around seven years ago, was encouraged by his wife to sign up for this event. Benson’s interest in the event started a few years back, but he doubted his ability to complete it, thinking, “that’s for the thirty-year-olds.” Interestingly enough, Benson is not the oldest person to ever run the Great World Race. One of the oldest was 82-year-old Dan Little, of Madill, Okla., who competed in 2024 and 2025.
For Benson, participating in The Great World Race is more meaningful than the running itself. He is using this opportunity to raise funds for an important cause: access to clean water. Benson has partnered with the non-profit organization, charity: water, to raise funds for water accessibility projects worldwide. Benson has raised US$44,117 to date.
Signing up for the Great World Race is no cheap feat. Benson himself described it as “extravagant.” The entry fee is €49,500 per runner, which converts to approximately CA$77,363.55. This cost covers the international flights, medical insurance for participants, professional photography of each race, Great World Race medals and merchandise, as well as many other logistical costs involved with the event. According to the Great World Race website, the flight to Antarctica alone is €20,000 (CA$31,206), partly due to the need for emergency evacuation if necessary.
Benson’s story has inspired those around him as well as supporters online. Outside of running, Benson and his wife Ginnie are active members of the Lighthouse Church in Grand Manan. Benson splits his time between Grand Manan and Nashville because he is the co-owner of Beacon Financial Management, a financial company based in Tennessee.