Competitor bio:

Matt Parker is running the World Marathon Challenge to raise funds for The Chase Academy, a school for students with autism, in South Daytona, Florida. (To donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/world-marathon-challenge-fundraiser-for-the-chase-academy). Matt, aged 61, is a husband, father, grandfather, Professional Engineer, private pilot, Georgia Tech graduate, and owns an HVAC company. Over the last 15 years, he has run over 15,000 miles, completed an Ironman, ran 2 Boston Marathons, won the Spartan Ultra Beast age group world championship in Sweden, ran 9 marathons, ran 21 ultramarathons, completed 3 -100 mile ultramarathons, and completed the UTMB CCC ultra in Europe. He ran a 100 mile ultra that started the day before his 60th birthday. He turned 60 during the race at about the 80 mile mark and had a quick surprise “birthday party” 5 minutes after midnight at an aid station with his family. He is the inventor of the “ICED CAP”, a hat that holds ice to cool runners.