An Abbotsford doctor recently completed his goal of running a marathon on all seven continents.
Dr. Tun Zan Maung, an internal medicine physician at Abbotsford Regional Hospital (ARH), was one of 200 runners who participated in the Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon, earning him a place on the prestigious finishers’ list of the Seven Continents Club.
He has completed several marathons in cities around the world, starting in Vancouver in 2004 and also including New York City, London, Athens, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, the Gold Coast in Australia, Rio de Janeiro, and Kenya.
Maung’s work with the cardiac care unit at ARH may keep him busy, but he says he always has time for his patients.
Having worked in the community for many years, he capitalizes on his direct contact with them to encourage them to get, and stay, fit.
“I often tell my cardiac patients that if I can do it, so can they. And you know what? Some have actually taken up running,” he said.
Maung is next going to participate in the Dopey Challenge in Disney World (Florida) in January.
Runners compete in a 5-km run on Thursday, Jan. 8; a 10-km run the following day; a half-marathon on Saturday, Jan. 10; and a full marathon on Sunday, Jan. 11.
Once he’s done with that, there is always the Polar Circle Marathon in 2016 or 2017, or helping his daughter complete her goal of running a half-marathon on every continent.
“The best part is that my daughter also runs with me. We get to spend quality time together being healthy and having fun. In fact, she is about to complete her goal. Europe is the only continent left to conquer,” Maung said.