It’s not an easy club to get into — running a marathon on each of the seven continents. Bruce Allen of Flandreau, however, is now among that elite group after just completing the Big 5 Marathon through the Entabeni Game Reserve, South Africa.
It is touted as one of the most spectacular game reserves in Africa with a challenging route through the habitat of African game, including “the famous Big Five: Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates the runners from the African wildlife!” the website states.
But that wasn’t what Allen felt was his biggest challenge with this latest race.  
“This race had the steepest hill that I have ever run,” said Allen. “It was tough, literally impossible to run. Running amongst the wildlife is always an amazing experience. The local Tribal people were so friendly, singing and cheering you on the whole race. It was one of the most beautiful races ever.”

The Moody County Enterprise caught up with Allen now that he is back home, but still on the run, literally. He’s still training as there are countless other races he’d like to do, including the 6 Abbott Majors, which he considers more of an accomplishment as runners need to qualify to get into those races.
Why does he do it? For the pure joy of running, said Allen.
“Other athletic activities are fun but running takes you to a place that team sports can’t, it can be a stress reliever and a form of meditation. You set up a goal or challenge and once that is achieved there is not a better feeling. Run while you can because there will come a day when your body may not let you. Cherish the friendships made and connections made to other runners, connections made to trails, roads & races. And always run for yourself, don’t run to impress others, run to enjoy the moment, run to challenge yourself. Most people think running long distances is an odd endeavor, so run for yourself.”
Allen is currently part of several running groups worldwide. The group of friends select a race somewhere and then all go to it. He and his children, who typically accompany him as he travels for races, have about 15 marathons around the world that they want to go to, destination marathons.
“I think I am going to run the 50 states, I have about 20 done. I am also thinking about running a marathon in every country that sponsors a marathon, and have about 20 countries done,” he said.
His hardest race so far was the Inca Trail Marathon in Machu Picchu, Peru. The Big 5 followed as a close second, followed by Mount Everest in Nepal and the Antarctica Marathon during a white out snowstorm.