Four continents down, three to go for local runner
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The journey to run a marathon, or longer, in all seven continents started before Candice Knuteson set it to be her goal.
After completing the six world marathon majors from 2021-2023 (Boston, New York City, Chicago, Berlin, London and Tokyo) Knuteson had ran on three continents. She scooped up her fourth continent shortly after this year's Boston Marathon.
"I got kind of two benefits out of that training block, where I can run Boston, recover real quick for like a week," She said. "Then basically turn around and run a 50 kilometers race to accomplish my fourth continent."
The 50-kilometer race, over a week after the Boston Marathon, was in South America at the Patagonia International Running Festival. Not only adding a continent to the tally but also coming in first place for her age group, a feat her father, David Graf, said he was most impressed with.
"The fact that she won her class and she was the second female total," Graf said. "It strikes me as quite an accomplishment."
Sydney, Australia will be added as the seventh world marathon major which Knuteson said she will run in August to achieve her fifth continent. After that a trip to Antarctica is set for March 2026.
"The one I laughed at was when she said she was going to run in Antarctica," Graf said. "I understand people run with bulls in Pamplona, I didn't know anybody runs with penguins."
The final continent, saved for last, is Africa. This is the continent Knuteson said is special to her.
"Part of my history is I actually did a study abroad program in Africa and that's actually what gave me the bug to travel internationally," Knuteson said. "I want to finish there because I feel like for me, that's where it all started."
As a local runner, Knuteson ran on every street in St. Joseph and said the city is a fun place to run and has a great park system. A member of the Measly Mile Mafia, Knuteson has the running nickname "Run Bun."
"I always tell my hairstylist, please you got to leave enough for the run bun," She said.
Knuteson said while running she is able to process things and figure stuff out. Between her thoughts and the nature she can embrace all over the world, she said she doesn't listen to music when she runs.
"My music is on an iPod shuffle so if that tells you how long it's been since I've listened to music," Knuteson said. "Some people say they have shower thoughts, I have running thoughts."
