Fil-Am attempts world record as first man to run marathon in Antarctica barefoot

Filipino-American Eddie Vilbar Vega is attempting to set a Guinness World Record by being the first man to run a full marathon in Antarctica barefoot. In a statement on Monday, the United States arm of Gawad Kalinga said Vega, 53, is set to run this year's White Continent Marathon at King George Island. The marathon was scheduled on Monday but the event was moved due to heavy fog. Howie Clavite, Development and Communications Director, Gawad Kalinga USA told GMA News Online: "According to Eddie Vega's Facebook updates, chartered flight to King George Island was cancelled early today due to heavy fog.  The marathon has been delayed for another day."   Glenda Terrado, Acting Executive Director, Gawad Kalinga USA, on the other hand, told GMA News Online: "I was last in touch with Eddie when he was on his way to Antartica" but said updates will be provided about how Vega's world record attempt. Vega is an experienced marathoner. As of February this year, he has run 66 full marathons and eight ultramarathons or those that are 50 kilometers or longer. Vega first started running full marathons five years ago, and never stopped going after being "bitten by the marathon running bug" after his first run in the 42 kilometer-long City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is a member of GK USA's North Carolina state Heroes Run team. Vega had already run three marathons barefoot, GK USA noted. Aside from the Antarctica world record attempt, Vega also intends to set a record as the first person to run full barefoot marathons in all 50 US states. Antarctica's first-ever official marathon was conducted on January 28, 1995, and subsequently there have been at least one or two full and half marathons annually, GK USA said. Vega's world record attempt is also a way to increase awareness about GK's work and to help raise funds for the organization, the statement said. GK is a Philippine-based nation-building movement whose aim is to alleviate poverty through various community development projects, such as house-building. GK USA, meanwhile, is based in California and has more than 20 chapters in the country. - VVP, GMA News