The Official 8 Continents Marathon Club

About The Official 8 Continents Marathon Club

Welcome to The Official 8 Continents Marathon, Half-Marathon & Ultra Club, The 8 Continents Marathon Club and Eight Continents Club. This is where you can join a group of like minded adventurous runners who enjoy traveling and running. By registering here, you are joining all Three Clubs.

Rules: The following rules have been adopted by the Board of Directors of The Official 7 Continents Marathon, 1/2 Marathon & Ultra Club, Inc.TM, The Official 8 Continents Marathon, 1/2 Marathon & Ultra Club, Inc.TM, The 8 Continents Marathon ClubTM, and the Eight Continents ClubTM (hereinafter "The Clubs") for the sole purpose of providing all members a defined, practical guideline for the events/races that will count towards the member's goal of completion of the half-marathon, marathon or ultra marathon distance on each of the 8 continents.

While The Clubs do recognize many other marathon accomplishments by members, including century milestones, Canadian provinces, countries, etc., the following rules are specific to the 8 events/races members will use to account for completion of Half-Marathon, Marathon or Ultra Marathon distances on each continent. These rules will take effect on 1/1/2013.

1. RULE CHANGE (effective May 1, 2026). Members must pay a nominal ONE-TIME registration fee to join The Clubs. Then annual renewal dues thereafter

The enrollment fee as of May 1, 2026 is remained $25. The annual dues beginning May 1, 2026 will be $10/year.

2. The Clubs are not-for-profit corporations registered in the State of Minnesota.

3. A half-marathon must be the full distance of 13 miles 193 yards (21.98K); a marathon must be the full distance of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195K) and an ultra is defined as any distance greater than the marathon distance. For a non-certified course to count, the race organization must make a good faith effort to ensure that the course is at least the stated distance. The event must be announced as a half-marathon, marathon or ultra. The participant must traverse the entire race course as defined by the organizers.

4. The event shall have an announced race director, race organization and/or running club to supervise and take responsibility for the event, and be available to certify the runner's completion of the distance. It must have had a minimum of 60 days advanced publicity in a running publication, magazine, newspaper, web site or race brochure. If the race date is less than 60 days from when the event is created, it must be announced at the earliest possible time. Verifiable results must be maintained and/or posted to the general public. Someone who is not running in the event must be available to time it.

5. As of 1/1/2013, the event shall have a minimum of 5 finishers. For races held prior to 1/1/2013, the rule was if the event had a minimum of 5 starters and 3 finishers, then as long as it meets the other requirements, it shall count. If a marathon is held simultaneously with a half-marathon, the finisher threshold shall be met as long as there are 5 finishers between the events. If an ultra and a marathon are being held simultaneously, the combined number of runners may meet this rule.

6. A half-marathon, marathon or ultra-marathon shall be run without interruption except for natural events such as a thunderstorm or other force majeure. In case of interruption, a race shall be restarted at the first practical and safe opportunity to do so. If a race is interrupted and the race is forced to move to a different location, it may still count towards completion of the continent upon which it started if: (a) the distance completed for any runners affected by the interruption can be accurately computed, (b) the distance remaining can be accurately measured at the locale where the race is resumed; (c) the runners affected by the interruption complete the remaining distance at the first safe and practical opportunity. A race temporarily interrupted by a natural event, as descri