KANSAS CITY, MO (October 12, 2026) – It’s race week in Kansas City! The Garmin Kansas City Marathon takes off Saturday, October 17, bringing runners of all levels together for a day of miles and community. For many, race day marks the culmination of months of training. For Overland Park resident Jeff Maher, Saturday’s marathon is just another step toward an even bigger goal.
In January 2027, Jeff will take on an extraordinary endurance challenge: seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Since 2015, only 292 people have completed the challenge. Jeff looks to add to that number, but first, he’ll tackle the I-35 Challenge, running both the Garmin Kansas City Marathon and the IMT Des Moines Marathon as part of his training.
“It’s the perfect timing within my training to do somewhat of a litmus test with both the Garmin Kansas City Marathon and IMT Des Moines Marathon,” said Maher. “It’ll be my first time running marathons on back-to-back days, so it’s getting me in the right mindset for January.”
What is the world marathon challenge?
The 777, officially known as the World Marathon Challenge, is an extreme endurance event that challenges participants to complete seven marathons across seven continents in seven consecutive days. The journey spans the globe, testing runners’ physical stamina, mental resilience and ability to recover while navigating demanding travel schedules and changing conditions. The challenge includes races in:
Antarctica
Cape Town, Africa
Perth, Australia
Dubai, Asia
Madrid, Europe
Fortaleza, South America
Miami, North America
For Jeff, the challenge is about more than miles. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate what’s possible when determination meets purpose, as well as to raise awareness and support for a cause close to his heart.
Jeff Maher’s Why: Turning a Diagnosis into a Mission
Jeff is a husband and father who calls Overland Park home. His journey took a life-changing turn in 2020, when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Following his diagnosis, his neurologist emphasized the importance of diet and exercise as essential parts of managing his health. Jeff responded by embracing running and taking on the World Marathon Majors.
Now, he’s setting his sights on the World Marathon Challenge, taking place January 30–February 5, 2027. Jeff will run every mile in support of The Susan Hurley Fund, turning a personal endurance test into an opportunity to make a difference. The fund’s mission is to support initiatives that cultivate connection, inspire personal growth and uplift communities through positivity, support and shared purpose.
Interested in supporting Jeff’s mission? Individuals and companies interested in donating can learn more and contribute at Jeff’s official website.
Garmin Kansas City Marathon
The Garmin Kansas City Marathon will take place on October 17th and offers a variety of race distances, including the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. For registration and race day information, click here.
About The Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation
The mission of the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation is to drive Kansas City’s overall sports strategy, to enrich the quality of life, create economic impact and raise visibility for our region. As a privately-funded nonprofit, we are entirely dependent on your support. For the latest on Kansas City Sports Commission news, follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.