Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days: The Humid Night in Cartagena and the Finish in Miami
Michelle Khare
This is the final episode of Michelle Khare's attempt to complete the Great World Race: seven marathons on all seven continents in a single week. Khare has five marathons done. The last two are left: Cartagena, Colombia, which veteran participants call the hardest leg of the week, and Miami, the finish. The episode follows how the physical strain, the emotional strain and the support of the other runners played out over those last two days.
Where Things Stood After Five Marathons
The episode opens with a recap of the earlier races. In Australia, Khare ran under a harsh sun alongside 82-year-old Dan Little, who described himself with some pride as the oldest and slowest runner in the field. In a desert leg, Khare ran with Adrian, who had completed his first marathon only earlier that same week. In a small town in Portugal, local energy carried Khare to the fastest time of the week: 4:42 on the fifth marathon, which was described at the finish as an unusually fast time for that point in the challenge.
With two races left, the tone changes. One voice warns that this kind of heat and humidity "is not going to be kind to you" and will show how depleted the runners have become.
Arriving in Cartagena
The group lands in Cartagena around midnight. Khare reports 100% humidity and says stepping outside feels like walking into a cloud. The next race starts in a few hours. Khare's period has also just started, which adds a practical and emotional complication on top of the exhaustion, and the episode shows that openly.
Khare explains why this leg has a reputation. People expect Antarctica to be the brutal one, and Khare agrees it is brutal. But Khare calls marathon number six in Cartagena "the silent killer." Dan Little, who is doing the race for the fourth time, had earlier described this week as one where you feel "totally exhausted but never more alive at the same time." Khare replies that the "half dead" part is the one that currently feels real.
Why the Start Was Moved to 3:30 a.m.
The Cartagena race begins at 3:30 in the morning. A race figure explains that this is a change from the previous year. Last year, two people ended up in the hospital with heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Runners who arrived during the day last year described getting off the plane as like opening an oven door. Starting in the dark is presented as a major advantage over that experience.
The strategy that follows is simple. Bank as many miles as possible while it is still dark, without redlining, because the risk rises sharply once the sun comes up.
Running Through a Silent City
Khare describes the overnight run as "a fever dream." It is like a nightmare of running through a silent city at night, with everything hurting and a sense of melting in the humidity. A crew member, Nick, gets a bloody nose along the way.
As the hours pass, Khare starts to see people fall apart. One racer is on crutches, and runners are stopping much more often. Another runner compares the conditions to running in a gym sauna. Supporters and fellow racers spray sore knees, tell each other to think happy thoughts, help each other back up after stops, and keep repeating that they're almost there.
The "Pain Cave" and a Friendly Rivalry
One of the runners describes the "pain cave" as crossing into "an area of suck," a zone where everything becomes uncomfortable because of the extreme challenge they've taken on. In that runner's view, many people are entering territory they have never experienced before, and that is exactly where the opportunity to grow lies.
There's also a lighter moment. A fellow runner confesses to secretly racing against Khare. Ever since Khare beat this runner in Antarctica, the two have traded wins race by race, and by this runner's count Khare is one ahead. The same runner had urged Khare early on to "beat the sunlight." When the sun hits, the runner says, heat and humidity climb and the course "becomes a living war zone of heat." The runner treats the suffering as something to embrace and tells Khare that everything being felt right now "is all growth."
A Breaking Point Five and a Half Hours In
About five and a half hours into the race, Khare reaches what observers call a dark place physically, mentally and emotionally, and starts to cry. One observer notes that they haven't seen that expression on Khare's face all week.
Looking back, Khare says many vulnerable moments have been put online before, but marathon six feels especially exposed. Khare describes fighting "a feminine shame" about being on a period while everyone knows it, and is surprised by how much internalized shame remains about crying and bleeding, plus additional shame about how it affects outward appearance. Under that sits self-doubt and anxiety. Khare recalls that when most people heard about this plan, they responded with worry and even tried to talk Khare out of it. Through tears, Khare says that it has been incredibly hard, but that the thought of a version of Khare who didn't do this would be devastating, and that there's real happiness in having done it.
Words From a Veteran Runner
At that moment, another runner stops to offer some perspective. After asking Khare's age (33), the runner says there are people on this course old enough to be Khare's parents or grandparents who only figured out today what Khare has just figured out at 33.
The runner shares a personal story. They were never an elite athlete and ran a first marathon at 38. Since then they have completed 277 marathons or ultramarathons. In 2024 they ran 17 kilometers for 17 days as a fundraiser in memory of their son AJ, who died after "17 wonderful days together." The runner believes that if we don't leave our comfort zones, we never really grow.
The runner then speaks to the doubts Khare described. Khare has a large audience that looks up to Khare, the runner says, and it's natural for people to say you can't do something. Some people can and some can't, and in this runner's words, Khare is "one of the ones who can." The runner frames this hardest stretch as part of the journey, something they have experienced themselves and seen in others. Then comes the final push: there's still a job to do, the celebration is tomorrow, and until then it's "left foot, right foot" through Colombia.
Marathon Six Done
Khare finishes the Cartagena marathon. Khare had thought the wildest claim of the week would be running a marathon in Antarctica, and now tops it: running a marathon at 3:30 a.m. in 90% humidity in Cartagena while bleeding on a period. Khare adds that this means every previous marathon of the week was run during the luteal phase. Then comes the shout that the sixth marathon is done and the group is heading to Miami.
Miami: The Final Day
On day seven, Khare says this is a day that, a few months earlier, there was real doubt about ever reaching. The atmosphere in Miami is very different. Many runners' family and friends have come out, along with people who followed the livestream from around the world. One runner, Tariq, describes strangers calling out "The Tarks!" and says it felt like being a rock star, with signs, banners, megaphones and speakers everywhere. For the first time all week, it feels like a "real race."
The day also brings goodbyes. Khare is sad to leave the group and says it's rare to find people joyful and bold enough to do something this crazy. Getting to meet them, learn from them and suffer alongside them made the whole thing worth it.
Khare starts in what observers call "performance mode." Remembering the 4:42 in Portugal, someone speculates that Khare might set a personal best today. Around mile 10.8, the pace is described as strong. One runner, John, is joined for some laps by his daughter Lex. Someone reflects that the euphoria of always getting one step closer to the finish shaped the whole day, and with so many supporters around, a great finish felt inevitable.
Khare shares a story. Back in July, a canceled flight left Khare stuck in Miami for a day on a layover. Khare went for a run there and visualized crossing the seventh finish line, without fully believing it would happen. Now it is about to happen. Khare repeats a phrase that recurs through this part of the episode: there's always more to give, even when it feels like there isn't.
Messages From Friends
Midway through the race, Khare plays a video friends recorded with messages of support. One friend, Cleo, says there's no chance Khare will wake up tomorrow feeling like they held back. Another says that if they had to bet on one person to pull this off, it would be Khare, and that Khare's real strength is mental. Another friend calls Khare a little insane and urges Khare to soak in how ridiculous it is to have turned this into reality while also making great videos. One message refers to Khare earning a black belt and says Khare has felt like family ever since. Another friend says that when facing something that seems impossible, they ask "What would Michelle do?" and the answer is almost always that Khare wouldn't give up. Another tells Khare to keep going for the little girl who watches these videos and finds inspiration in them. There's also a message from the Yes Theory team: everyone there is cheering, and every step of training has led to this moment.
After the messages, Khare says it's hard to believe this is really about to happen. Khare has spent the past six months "in hell" training for it, will earn this, and will finish in Miami feeling proud.
Why the Other Runners Took It On
The episode also asks the other runners why they signed up. One says they did it for their kids, to show them there are many good people in the world, that you have to get out there to meet them and build community, and that the more you love others, the more they love you back. This runner says they kept thinking during the run that it's all about "we," echoing their wife's words that the runner did it, but it was about everyone together.
The runner who ran in memory of AJ also reflects again. Every day is a gift, so use each one fully. AJ's 17 days were short, but because AJ lived, the runner has experienced so much. The runner says they hope AJ is proud that they push themselves through events like this. Another runner says they're grateful simply to be alive and able to do this, let alone finish it.
The Finish and the Lesson
Khare crosses the Miami finish line in under five hours and holds up the North America medal, the finish dreamed of for six months. Khare says the reason for taking this on was to see who Khare would become by doing it. Even through all the doubts, the community made it special, and helped Khare cross so many finish lines this week that seemed out of reach. Khare also mentions wearing lucky underwear, a pair Khare says can never be thrown away.
One runner observes that the group started as strangers, but sharing this experience bonds people fast and for life. The closing words of the episode are the lesson one participant takes away: don't assume you have limits. We can all do more than we think, and if we push our minds, hearts and souls, life will be better.
I am attempting to run seven marathons on all seven continents in one week. So far, I've completed five of seven marathons needed to receive the coveted Great World Race finisher medal.
In the last episode, I battled the Australian sun with 82-year-old Dan Little. Somebody's got to be the oldest and the slowest, and I'm proud to be it.
Laughed through the desert with Adrian, who ran his first ever marathon earlier this week. Joel and Adrian? I'm all right. Okay.
And thanks to the energy of a small town, ran my fastest marathon of the week in Portugal. 4:42. Do you realize what you've just done? Fastest time for the fifth marathon.
With only two races to go, we're about to run our hardest marathon yet in Cartagena, Colombia. This type of heat in this type of humidity is not going to be kind to you. It's definitely going to show how depleted people are. Michelle is in a dark place right now. The sun is starting to come up. It becomes a living war zone of heat. This is the grand finale of the Great World Race.
We have just landed in Cartagena, Colombia. It's like midnight. It's 100% humidity. Oh my God. Oh, it's like a cloud. Our next race starts in a few hours. And on top of all of that, my period just started. To run my sixth marathon of the week.
Oh my God. Oh my God. Should I wear a tampon? My period has just started. Oh God. I'm not. I am. It's leaking down my leg right now.
I feel like everybody comes into this race and has this expectation of Antarctica is so brutal, which it definitely is. So you should feel that way. But I think that the silent killer is marathon number six, and that's in Cartagena, Colombia.
Dan, so this is your fourth time doing this. It is. A few days ago you told me this is the week where you feel half dead but most alive. Totally exhausted, but never more alive at the same time. I'm definitely feeling the half dead part, Dan.
It's 3:30 in the morning. We're getting ready to start, and it's a pivot. It's a shift from how we did it the year before. And the reason we're doing it this way is because two people last year ended up in the hospital from heatstroke and heat exhaustion.
Somebody said two people had heatstroke last year. Yeah. Yeah. This is the one that tests character probably most in terms of humidity. Last year when they got off the plane, they said it was like opening an oven door because it was during the day. So starting in the dark is a huge advantage compared to last year. So we should try and get as many miles in as we can while it's still dark. Yeah, but not redlining. And as soon as the sun comes up, you are at risk.
I honestly feel like I'm in a fever dream. Only in your nightmares are you running in this silent city overnight. It's so humid. Everything hurts.
I feel like I'm just melting. Nick, are you okay? Good, Nick? Yeah, it's just a bloody nose. Bloody nose. Okay.
And here is where I'm really starting to see people fall apart. There's a racer on crutches. People are stopping far more often.
You ever experienced anything like this? Yeah. Be like It's just the humidity. I was sure. But the only way I could describe running in Cartagena was think of maybe a sauna in your local gym. Just feel just jog. Just jog it. That's exactly how it felt.
Do you want me to spray your knees again to see if that helps? Okay. Thank you. Strong and happy. Think of happy thoughts.
You little trooper, are you? Amazing you are. You're fine. Just keep moving. It's supposed to be like this at some point. It's okay. I'm coming. Just stand up. I'm coming. Let's go. We got this. It's okay. I'm believing in you. Oh my God. What the heck, dude? We're almost there. Thank you. We got it.
The pain cave is this crossing into an area of suck, I would say. More suck is happening at this time of day. I know. And the sun comes out. I know, it's so hot. But it's like entering this zone where everything is now very uncomfortable because of this insane challenge that you've taken on. It's crossing over, you see, for a lot of people into the unknown. It's new territory. It's something that they haven't touched before. And that's where you have a lot of opportunity to grow and to really challenge yourself.
Secretly, I'm cheating against you. Yeah. Oh, what do you mean? Ever since you beat my ass in Antarctica, I'm like, "Hey, wait for me." And then you took the next one and I took one, and I think you're like one up on me. Oh, okay. So you're doing a good job.
I look to Michelle and I say, "Michelle, we got to beat the sunlight." As soon as the sun hits, the temperature begins to change and it increases, humidity increases. It becomes a living war zone of heat.
That's it. This is life. What it feels like to be alive today. You got to love this. The alternative is no good. I'm running at 6 ft. No pain. It's all growth right here, Michelle. What you're feeling right here is all growth. Okay.
Michelle is in a dark place right now. Physically, mentally, emotionally. Tears are starting to flow. Is Michelle okay? She looks pretty ropey there coming through. She's just emotional. She's hurting. It's five and a half hours in. But I haven't actually seen that expression on her face this weekend.
I put a lot of my most vulnerable moments online and in these episodes. But marathon six feels exceptionally vulnerable to me. I'm sort of battling a feminine shame of being on my period and everybody knows.
God hates women. I'm just saying that. God hates women. Don't put that in the video.
I'm often still surprised at how much internalized shame I have about it. That it was still a little embarrassing to cry, to bleed. But then additional shame because of how it impacts my external state. All my self-doubt, all my concerns, all of my anxiety.
I feel like when I told most people I wanted to do this, their response was worry and even trying to convince me to not do it. Of course, yeah. This has been so hard. But I think I'd be just devastated that there was another version of me that didn't do this for myself. And that makes me really sad, but also really happy that I did it.
I want to give you something to hold on. How old are you? I'm 33. Okay. There are people here old enough to be your parents and your grandparents that didn't figure out what you just figured out at 33. They didn't figure it out till today.
I was never an elite athlete. And it was not until the age of 38 that I did my first marathon. I have done 277 marathons or ultramarathons. I did 17K for 17 days in 2024 as a fundraiser for my son, AJ, who passed away after 17 wonderful days together. And if we don't go outside our comfort zones, we'll never really grow.
I heard the amount of followers you have, size of it. Entire city. A big city. Your followers who looks up to you. But you, Michelle, you have a talent that resonates with millions of people, and it's natural for people to say, "No, you can't do it." That's natural. They're supposed to. The ones who can, the ones who cannot. And you are one of the ones who can. I can.
Michelle, this version of you that you're going through, this version, it's part of the journey. And I experienced it. I saw it happening in others. I saw it happening in Michelle.
Thanks for being here. Yo. Thank you for being here. Thank you for making the world a little bit better. You still have a job to do. Get it done. Tomorrow we celebrate. But until then, left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Through Colombia. Vamos.
Six. Yes. Thanks, Doc. For you.
I thought the craziest thing I would get to say from this week is I ran a marathon in Antarctica. Let me one-up that. I ran a marathon at 3:30 in the morning at 90% humidity in Cartagena, Colombia, bleeding, on my period. And you know what else that means? I ran every marathon before that in my luteal phase. Think about that. Sixth marathon done! We're going to Miami, coach!
Hello, Aaron. Happy weekend, everybody. Things are going to wrap up pretty nicely around here for this final weekend before Thanksgiving. Morning sun heating things up. It's going to be a scorcher out there. Stay cool out there and enjoy your weekend.
Today is a really exciting day. A day just a few months ago I wasn't sure I would make it to, which is the seventh day of running seven marathons on all seven continents. It's a really, really exciting energy here in Miami because a lot of people's family and friends came out.
It's like everybody's supporters, crowds, just people that have been watching a live stream all around the world that show up there and they're like, "Hey, Tarks! The Tarks! I love the Tarks!" Number seven, baby. It's a welcome to Miami. It's been a pleasure. You feel like a rock star, like I've never experienced anything. Just everything's pumping, right? You're there. You made it. It's the finish line.
But I'm also really sad to say goodbye to everybody. Dan, we just wanted to say good luck. It was so good to meet you this week. Have a great run today. And I will get a picture with you later.
It's really rare to find a group like this of people who are joyful and bold enough to do something this crazy. It was for sure worth it, to have the privilege of getting to meet and learn from and suffer with these people.
I'm so proud of you. You're a rock star. Strong woman. And then we'll gel after today for a while. I know that's right. This has been great fun. I don't know, what a blast.
Six down, one to go. We want to thank you very much for joining us this year. And I want to wish you the best of luck. All right, we get started here. Three, two, one, go!
I have my water. Oh. Great start.
Just kind of in performance mode, which is really amazing at the end of this. She might PR today. She ran a 4:42 in Portugal. She's kind of flying right now.
I think the euphoria that everyone was under and the idea that they were just always one step closer to finishing was the focus of the day. And there were so many people around, so many fans, so many supporters, so much great energy. It was just inevitable this was going to be a fantastic finish.
Is that your daughter, by the way, John? Yes. Obviously. My daughter Lex came out, which was cool to have her there and run some laps with me. That's my daughter. Hey there. Where's your suit?
Now it feels real. It feels like a real race. There's signs and banners and people on megaphones and speakers.
Back in July, I flew to Miami on a layover. The flight got canceled and I was stuck here for a day, but I realized, "Hey, I'm in Miami. This is the finish line." And so I ran here and I visualized crossing the seventh finish line. And I don't think I fully believed in myself, but I'm really glad I did because I'm going to. We're going to cross the finish line in Miami.
It's amazing. There's just always more to give. Yeah. There's always more. Even when I don't think I have it, I do. Yeah. I really do. I have so much more to give.
And by the way, you're doing this great pace today, I have to say. Pace is right up there. How many miles does your watch say we've done? 10.8.
A bunch of our friends made a video for me sending messages. I want to play it. Do it. Go for it. It'll give me a little spirit.
Michelle, it's Cleo. You are crushing this. We are all cheering for you. I know how hard you've been working for this. I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is no chance that you wake up tomorrow and you think to yourself that you didn't give everything you've got in this final marathon. You got this. Let's go.
If there was one human on this planet that I would put my money on actually accomplishing it, it's you. What you've got is in the brain. It's your mentality on these things. So you're probably going to need that here. Dig deep. You got this.
You are a little insane for this one, and I think you already know that, but soak it in. Really appreciate how ridiculous it is that you were able to turn all this into a reality and to make sick videos in the process. What a dream.
Ever since you got your black belt, I feel like you're part of my family. We are all cheering for you. So finish this race, and after you're done, let's have a nice party. How's that? Okay?
When I'm going through something that seems impossible, I actually frequently ask myself, "What would Michelle do?" And the answer is pretty much always she would not give up. Are you thinking about giving up? Don't. As the ancient saying goes, keep going.
Do it for the little girl that watches your videos, that finds inspiration in who you are and what you do. Do it for her. Keep going.
I can't believe I'm going to actually do this. I'm actually going to do it. Spent the past six months in hell training for this, and I am going to earn it. I'm going to earn it. Say always, always have more to give. Always. I'm going to finish in Miami, and I'm going to make myself so proud.
You're on the final stretch. This is it. I am so proud of you, and I hope that you are proud of yourself. Myself and everyone at Yes Theory is cheering for you. I know there've been times you didn't believe you could do this, but we believe in you. Just know that you got a lot of people, including us, cheering you on.
Don't forget that all of your training has led you up to this moment, and that every step you take has purpose. You're in the final stretch. Step after step. Take baby steps if you have to, and get that last marathon in the books, baby. Yeah, Michelle!
What motivated you to sign up for this? My kids. I want them to know that there's a lot of great people out there, and you got to be out there to go experience the people and build a community. And the more you love on others, the more they love on you. I just kept thinking this entire run, it's about we. Like my wife said, you did it, but it's all about we. So can't do it without her. Can't do it without the families.
Every single day is a gift. We don't get a lot of time on this earth, so use every single day to the fullest. Seventeen days. That's all it was. Really hard 17 days. It's not really a lot. So there's been so much in my life that I've experienced because AJ lived. I hope that he's proud. I hope he's proud of pushed myself to do these events and experiences just because of his moment that he had with us.
Couldn't have scripted a better ending to using this. One more lap. You're rocking this. I am.
I know the blessings of me being alive, and I wouldn't be able to do this, let alone finish this. Beautiful people, and just blessed.
You did it. We got it done. If you're scared of pain, you're missing out. The growth is happening right here. I couldn't have done it without these two right here, running with me.
Did this challenge because I wanted to see who I would be if I could do it. I was just having all these doubts, and this community is so special. Nice job. I did it. And they helped me cross so many finish lines this week that I wasn't sure I would be able to. I have so much more to give.
I finished this marathon. There's my Miami North American medal. Under five. Under five. Let's go. Congratulations. So proud of you. The global marathon was happening right now.
I've been dreaming about crossing this finish line for six months. Look at this. Got my lucky underwear on. You can never get rid of this underwear.
The group of people, strangers, but you bond so fast. You share an experience, so you just kind of bond for life.
One lesson would be just to not assume that you have limits. That we can all do more than we think we can. And that if we push ourselves, we push our mind, our hearts, our souls, it'll be good.
And life will be better.
Thank you so much for making it to the end of our first ever three-part series on Challenge Accepted. If you enjoyed all of that and want to see even more, there is a video live right now on the Adobe Video channel that shows the entire behind-the-scenes process of how we pulled off this production.
We have made all 60-plus episodes of Challenge Accepted in the Adobe Creative Cloud, and we are so thankful to Adobe for sponsoring this episode and making storytelling like this on YouTube possible. Thanks so much for watching, and I'll see you for the next episode.
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