David Gething

Dr David Gething – Winner World Marathon Challenge, running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days. Exclusiv with Premium Speakers.

24 January 2015 – World record set for fastest cumulative time running 7 marathons in 7 days in 7 continents. New world record (pending) for fastest ever marathon on Antarctic continent.

The spark that lit the fire – on the approach to middle age, David had lived what could optimistically be termed a good life, going out far more than he should, eating, drinking and certainly living the party life. He was very overweight, unfit, unhealthy and possibly, inside it all, unhappy. And then came the moment when everything changed. David’s wife caught him outside, sneaking a cigarette after he’d promised he’d quit for the umpteenth time. She was not long away from giving birth to their first baby, a daughter. She painted a picture of this child being born with her father, her daughter’s role-model, being unfit and overweight, and asked if that was what he wanted for her, and for himself.

Starting from the bottom – His wall of denial and rationalisation came crashing down, and he embarked on his personal race to transform himself to a world-class athlete, starting from scratch to competing in Ironman triathlons up to world championship level, some of the world’s most famous marathons, ultramarathons and transcontinental bicycle stage races, culminating in his win in the World Marathon Championship, encompassing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, and setting two world records in the process.

Making the ordinary extra-ordinary – David Gething has always prided himself on being an average person. Married with two children, two dogs, a cat and a regular day job, David has spent years juggling and perfecting a balance of work life, family life and sporting life, and trying to make the best out of every situation.

David says: „My story is one that isn’t just about racing, but about following and achieving your goals, whatever they might be. It’s about collaboration, determination, spirited focus, overcoming obstacles and naysayers, how to build a team, and how to work with your competitors to give yourself the competitive edge, and win.“

In his other life – David Gething is a veterinary surgeon and owner of one of the largest private practice groups in Hong Kong. David grew up in Australia, holds both UK and Australian passports, and gained full-time residency in Hong Kong. He and his wife, Trilby, who is his equal partner in his work, family and sporting adventures, have two young daughters.

He raised over HKG $100,000 for Sunbeam charity when running the World Marathon Challenge, and aims to found an environmental NGO funded in part by revenue and PR raised as a result of his next superhuman feats.

David Gething has just run the Pyongyang marathon in North Korea with a podium finish for his category, and his next challenge will be the Florida Ultraman in January 2016 (double Ironman, back to back, the longest standard-format triathlon). He is also planning a new world record attempt across the Amazon jungle (with a film crew in tow) in August 2016.