(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) An adventurous Dubai-based former Emirates flight attendant has returned home a champion after shattering three world records during a seven-marathon quest to raise money for hundreds of young Bangladeshis from the slums of Dhaka to go to school.
Portuguese national Maria Conceicao, along with her teammates Briton Saul Keens and South African Rosa Areosa, were competing in the 777 challenge, comprising seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days.
Conceicao now claims to be the fastest woman to have run official marathons on seven continents, which she accomplished in 11 days, smashing the previous record of 48 days.
An official confirmation from Guinness World Records is expected in the coming days. Additionally, Conceicao can now claim the title of the fastest woman to run a marathon and ultra-marathon on every continent, as well as the fastest aggregate time to do so.
Conceicao - who she says hates running - says that the accolades and records all come second to her primary goal of helping the children. "I dislike running so much," she said. "I want people to think of me for my heart, not for the hype."
"I didn't win because I'm a super-athlete," she continued. "I just stuck to it. I do these things for media exposure, to create the most impact and help my kids."
The trio's odyssey began in Melbourne, Australia on February 8, followed by marathons in Abu Dhabi, Paris, Tunis, New York and Punta Arenas, Chile, before finishing on King George Island in Antarctica after a four-day weather delay.
The team managed to raise several thousand dollars, all of which will go to the Maria Cristina Foundation € MCF - started by Conceicao in 2005.
MCF currently has about 200 students enrolled in several Dhaka schools from kindergarten all the way to the twelfth grade, and some graduates have even gone on to get jobs with Emirates.
Conceicao noted even in the toughest moments of the challenge, the thought of the children kept her moving forward. "My only definition of success is being able to put a kid in school, or pay their school meals, transport, or house rent and medical," she said. "Otherwise I see myself as a failure, a tremendous failure."
Conceicao added that, as much as she has helped the children, she is also grateful to them for having changed her life. "I was basically a waitress at 39,000 feet," she said. "The world opened up to me because I wanted to help these children."
For her next adventure, Conceicao - who doesn't know how to swim - will complete an Ironman triathlon, and has several other long-distance bicycle and running competitions planned over the next year.
"The residents of the UAE have helped me come so far," Conceicao said. "But we need more help. Some of the kids are only two or three years from finishing their education and getting on their own feet."
"What does it serve me to have world records? Just help me complete the mission."
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