What a kickass kid.
Nik Toocheck, 11, not only runs marathons—he's run them in seven continents. And in Antarctica twice.
His first marathon toward the seven-continent goal was in Delaware on Dec. 1, 2012. Races in Chile, Antarctica, and Australia followed in 2013. This year, he also ran in Zimbabwe, Switzerland - and Antarctica again.
Nik runs alongside his father, a major in the reserves. And as if a sixth grader running marathons in seven continents isn't impressive enough, guess what? He's donated the $40K+ he's raised through his marathons to a charity that has bought more than 2,000 kids' coats. His campaign is called
Running the World for Children. He founded it when he was nine.
The money he raises goes to a nonprofit his grandfather founded in 1998 - Operation Warm - to give coats to children in need across the United States. By the end of this year, the nonprofit, based in Chadds Ford, will have given winter coats to 1.7 million children, according to the group.
"Whenever I'm feeling tired or feel like I want to stop, I just think about the kids who don't have coats to warm them," Nikolas said. "And I think I'm so lucky I have coats to keep me warm."
This year, Nik was recognized as
a top youth volunteer in Pennsylvania, which included a ceremony in Washington. Looking forward, Nik says he might decide to run in all 50 states.
You can donate to his campaign here.