7 half-marathons, 7 continents, 7 days

Finishing the 2026 World Marathon Challenge was about more than endurance for Lincoln Bode ’84. It was a mission shaped by loss and a deep sense of purpose, with connections that trace back to his Augustana days.

Bode completed seven half-marathons on seven continents in seven days, starting in Antarctica on Jan. 31, and finishing in Miami on Feb. 6. As part of Team Fox, he raised awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He ran in honor of his father, who died last year after a nine-year battle with the disease.

The numbers tell the story. Bode traveled 25,672 miles, crossed 20 time zones, ran 94 miles while averaging less than five hours of sleep each day, and finished in six days and six hours. Team Fox surpassed its fundraising goal of $77,700, and its message reached a wide audience, with more than 2.9 million Instagram views tracked by Bode’s daughter, Amber Bode.

His ties to Augustana remained central throughout the challenge. A Viking decathlete from 1980 to 1984, Bode credits Coach Paul Olsen with teaching him how to train and compete with discipline and focus. That mindset helped him push through 104-degree heat in Perth, Australia, that left him drained and close to stopping before continuing in his father’s memory.

He dedicated his Madrid race to longtime friend Kent Gladish ’84, whose father died from MS. His wife, Gail Zienty ’86 Bode, met him at the finish line in Miami.

Even Bode’s passion for global experiences goes back to his time at Augustana, where a 1983 internship in Switzerland sparked his lifelong desire “to see the world in all its glory!” He has since completed more than 50 races across 12 countries.

What’s next for Bode? He’s gearing up for the Berlin Inline Marathon this September, skating 26.2 miles to raise more funds for Parkinson’s research. Follow him at @Team.Fox.777 on Instagram.