About The Great World Race

The Great World Race is a seven-day endurance event in which runners complete a marathon on each continent. Widely considered one of the world’s toughest challenges, it’s the course HMI board member Marco Ziegler will take on to raise funds and awareness for our young people.

Why Marco Is Running
As a board member, Marco has seen firsthand how HMI’s programs change lives. He’s bringing the discipline, resilience, and community spirit of marathon training to support our youth.

The Connection Between Running and Our Mission
HMI takes a holistic approach to mental health, recognizing that emotional well-being is tied to physical health, safe relationships, and belonging. Running reflects that philosophy. Physical activity reduces stress and anxiety, and endurance sports build the perseverance and self-trust that carry into every part of life.

Running also creates a sense of belonging. Anyone who has trained for a marathon knows the power of a group that shows up for you, a coach who believes in you, or a stranger cheering at mile 20. That support makes the miles easier, and research shows young people in affirming communities have stronger emotional regulation, higher self-esteem, and greater resilience against isolation.

HMI replicates that belonging every day for LGBTQIA+ youth. With a safe space, mentors who champion them, and peers who have their back, young people see better mental health, stronger academic performance, and more hope for the future. Marco’s seven marathons on seven continents embody the endurance, encouragement, and community HMI offers every young person who walks through our doors.