Africa-Press – Liberia. With about 40 days left until the 2022 Liberia Marathon, runners from Liberia and from around the world are eagerly anticipating their chance to be a part of history. Slated for August 21, this year’s Marathon is an official sports event of Liberia’s Bicentennial celebrations — a year-long event paying homage to Africa’s first republic.
An international event in its own right, the Marathon is Liberia’s only official long-distance road race, featuring three categories: 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. Speaking of international flavor, the Liberia Marathon Trust has confirmed the participation of marathon world record holder, Brent Weigner, in this year’s race.
Weigner, a 72-year-old retired world geography teacher and a Marathon runner from Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA, is expected to travel to Liberia to run the Marathon, making it his 187th country.
According to the Country Marathon Club, a club that approves FIFA and International Olympic Committee-recognized countries, Brent holds a world record for being the first runner to complete a marathon in 186 countries as of June 19, 2022.
Brent finished marathons in the 50 states and Washington DC (USA) on January 18, 1998, and also completed a marathon in all of the Canadian provinces and territories on October 11, 1998, before focusing on running a marathon in all of the countries of the world. As of this date, between marathons plus 57 ultra marathons (foot races longer than 26 miles), he’s completed 359 total marathons. Of the 195 total countries in the world (United Nations list), he has run the marathon in 186 countries.
His goal is 200+.
In one of his many interviews, when asked about who motivated him, Brent said, “No one motivated me or inspired me to run. During grade school, we played several different sports. I liked the field day when we got to do different activities. I played Little League Baseball and Little League Football. We learned square dancing, took swim lessons, and participated in many other activities. I guess I didn’t need motivation or inspiration to run. When people ask me why I run, I ask them why do birds fly and fish swim? That is just what we do. No explanation is necessary.”
About Brent
Brent ran his first marathon (3:53:00) on June 30, 1968, in Whitewater, Wisconsin. From 1968-1972 Dr. Weigner competed at Colorado State College (University of Northern Colorado) on a track scholarship. In 1969 he founded the school’s first men’s varsity cross country team. On November 13, 1971, he became UNC’s first runner to compete in the NCAA National Cross County Championships in Wheaton, Illinois.
After graduating, Brent became a 7th-grade geography teacher and coach at McCormick Junior High, the school he attended as a youngster. He founded the girls’ cross country programs at McCormick Junior High School and Central High School. Many of his athletes excelled and competed in the National AAU Junior Olympics.
In 1980 his 17-18 girls team won the National Championship Title. Brent founded and directed the Wyoming Marathon Races for 35 years before he and his wife (Sue Hume) retired in 2010. Weigner serves as a marathon consultant for organizations and agencies around the world. What makes his accomplishments more amazing is the fact Brent is a five-time cancer survivor. He attributes his many blessings and good fortune to his wife Sue, God, Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Noteworthy Accomplishments:
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