Scots Dad Raises Over £40k by Completing Epic World Marathon Challenge
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is excited to share that super supporter Bobby White Jr has finished the World Marathon Challenge, completing seven marathons across seven continents in seven days in memory of his little brother, Anton Rogan White.
Every year, less than a hundred athletes head to Antarctica to complete the World Marathon Challenge, and fewer than 250 people have ever completed it.
Bobby White Jr is now one of them.
Photo Credit: World Marathon Challenge / RUNBUK
“The World Marathon challenge is one of the world’s toughest endurance races in the world. You run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, with all recovery and sleep done on the plane.”
Bobby White
Bobby decided to take on the challenge in January 2024, after running several marathons over the years to fundraise for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity in memory of his brother Anton. Anton sadly passed at the age of 15 from a heart condition in 2004, and since, the White family have raised over £75,000 in his memory.
Photo Credit: World Marathon Challenge / RUNBUK
“I’m raising money for GCHC because of all the vital services they provide to families all over Scotland. When my brother Anton passed in 2004, my family had help and support from the charity. Since then, in Anton’s memory, we’ve been raising funds for this incredible charity.”
Bobby has now taken that total to over £115,000, after smashing his target of £25,000 and raising over £40,000 through his challenge.
"Finishing 777 was unforgettable, but raising over £40,000 for such an important cause is what truly makes every kilometre worthwhile."
The mammoth continent-spanning race began in Antarctica on January 31st, before the group flew to Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, finishing in North America.
“The most difficult race was Perth, by then I was in so much pain and the heat was unbearable I had to walk so much just to finish it. But I had family in Perth who I hadn’t seen in years, come out to support and help me. My cousin Barry cycled the full course while his wife Karen ran the full marathon with me. They both took plenty of water to cool me down, Barry cycling back and forth to the aid stations to get anything I needed to keep me going. Thinking of Anton also kept me going. My cousin was telling me how proud he’d be of me, and chatting about how much money was raised at that point for the charity. It helped me focus on the bigger picture rather than just the pain.”
Photo Credit: World Marathon Challenge / RUNBUK
Bobby’s children, Madison and Rogan, were also cheering him on every step of the way, and were joined by friends, family and some of our team to surprise Bobby at Glasgow airport as he arrived back home.
Madison also tasked her Dad with sending photos of our beloved Kami Bear to her at every stop throughout the challenge, which provided Bobby with a very special way to keep in touch with his children as he set off around the world to complete the event.
Support came from across the world for Bobby as he crossed the final finishing line, completing the challenge within just six days.
“Completing the World Marathon Challenge is a monumental achievement, and we had no doubt that Bobby would have the strength and heart to make it to the finish line. The funds the White family have generously raised in memory of Anton for the charity over the years have made a life-changing difference to children in hospital and we couldn’t be more grateful for the continuing support from Bobby and his family.”
Kirsten Watson, CEO of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity
“You only see a fraction of the incredible resources, services and vital equipment Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity provides. There is so much more you don’t see that they are the driving force behind. If you’re thinking of doing something, don’t be afraid and do something that scares you. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”
Bobby White
If you’d like to run for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity but would prefer a challenge a little closer to home, registration is now live for the 2026 Great Scottish Run!