Nikolas Toocheck
Nikolas Toocheck (born March 19, 2003) is an American marathon runner, world record holder, and philanthropist. He has run marathons on each of the seven continents and in each of the fifty United States while raising money for Operation Warm and the Seva Foundation.[1]
Early Life
Toocheck was born in southeast Pennsylvania, where he began running for fun with his father, who was training to join the United States Air Force.[2] He ran his first 5k at the age of six and his first marathon at the age of nine.[3]
Marathons
Seven Continents
Toocheck began his quest to become the youngest person to run a marathon on all seven continents at the age of nine. In December 2012, he ran his first marathon in Lewes, Delaware, United States.[4] In 2013, he ran in Chile, Antarctica, and Australia. In 2014, he ran a second marathon in Antarctica, as well as marathons in Zimbabwe, Switzerland, and the Republic of Georgia. After completing his seventh continent on September 6th, 2014, in Kazbegi, Georgia, Toocheck set the record as the youngest person to run a marathon on all seven continents at the age of eleven.[5] By doing this, he broke the record held by fourteen-year-old Winter Vinecki, although this record has since been broken. He is currently the youngest person to run a marathon in Antarctica, which he did at the age of nine.[6] He did another marathon in Antarctica the following year at the age of ten, setting an additional world record as the youngest person to run a marathon in Antarctica twice.[7]
Fifty States
In September 2014, Toocheck began a new pursuit to become the youngest person to run a marathon in each of the fifty states and Washington, DC.[8] Though the first of the state marathons was the Delaware marathon run for the seven continent goal, the first marathon run in pursuit of the fifty state goal was in Annandale, VA, on September 25, 2014.[9] After just two and a half years, Toocheck completed his goal and set the new world record at fourteen with the final marathon in Springfield, VT, on May 16, 2017.[10] In running the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC on October 30, 2016, he became the youngest person to date to finish the race.[11] He currently holds the record as the youngest person to run a marathon on all seven continents and in each of the fifty states.[12]
Charitable Efforts
Toocheck set a goal to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit Operation Warm through his seven continent journey.[13] Operation Warm is a non-profit organization that provides new winter coats to underprivileged children across North America. Since its founding in 1998, Operation Warm has provided children with more than four million coats. In 2021, Operation Warm expanded its programming to provide athletic shoes and connect children to community resources.[14] Toocheck was also the inspiration for Run Inspired, a 10k race that benefited Operation Warm. The race was held at the prestigious Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, the first ever race held on the property in New Castle County, Delaware.[15]
In conjunction with his fifty state objective, Toocheck raised money and awareness for the Seva Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to prevent and treat blindness.[16] Between both fundraising campaigns, Toocheck raised more than $50,000.[17]
Awards and Athletic Achievements
Philadelphia 76ers Hometown Hero[18]
Philadelphia Flyers Community Teammate[19]
2015 President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition|President's Council on Fitness, Sports, & Nutrition Community Leadership Award[20]
2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Award[21]
2015 Jefferson Awards Foundation Globechanger[22]
2016 TD Bank Young Heroes Award[23]
2017 USA Track & Field National Honor Roll[24]
3x USA Track & Field All American[25]
On October 11th, 2021, Toocheck ran the 125th Boston Marathon (virtually).[26]
| Record | Age |
|---|---|
| Youngest person to run a marathon in Antarctica[6] | 9 years, 11 months, 8 days |
| Youngest person to run a marathon in Antarctica twice[7] | 10 years, 10 months, 7 days |
| Youngest person to run a marathon in each of the fifty states[10] | 14 years, 1 month, 28 days |
| Youngest person to run a marathon in each of the fifty states and DC[10] | 14 years, 1 month, 28 days |
| Youngest person to run a marathon in all seven continents and each of the fifty states[19] | 14 years, 1 month, 28 days |
Media Appearances
According to his website, Toocheck has been featured on The Katie Couric Show, Disney's Magical Holiday Celebration, CBS This Morning, ABC, CNN, and FOX. He has also been featured in PEOPLE Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated Kids, New York Daily News, Ultrarunning Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Runner's World, The Huffington Post, WHYY, Chadds Ford Live, The Kennett Paper, Chester County Press, Business Wire, Youth Runner and Southern Chester County News.[19]
References
- ↑ Whelan Jr, Tim. "14-year-old Nikolas Toocheck has now run a marathon in all 50 states". USA TODAY High School Sports. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Boy, 9, Completes Antarctic Marathon in Quest to Run on Every Continent". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ Robertson, Mike (2025-02-19). "College of Charleston Finance Major Runs the World". The College Today. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Nine-Year-Old Plans to Run Marathon on All Continents". Runner's World. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "12-Year-Old Boy Completes Marathons on Each Continent". People.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "9-year-old marathon runner, Nikolas Toocheck, returns from race in Antarctica". WFMZ.com. 2013-03-09. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Running to help kids | Chester County Press". www.chestercounty.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Youngest marathon runner has a big goal". wusa9.com. 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Home - Marathon Maniacs". www.marathonmaniacs.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "May 2017 – Mainly Marathons". Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Youth Runner Magazine". Youth Runner Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "At 11, Nikolas Toocheck completes marathons on seven continents | Chester County Press". www.chestercounty.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ Weber, Katherine (2013-02-15). "Operation Warm: 9-Year-Old Races Marathons for Underprivileged Children". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Operation Warm | Coats for Kids in Need". www.operationwarm.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Run Inspired Races – Run Inspired Races". Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Donor Spotlight: Nikolas Toocheck - Seva Foundation". www.seva.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ Hostutler, Mark (2017-05-25). "Unionville Middle Schooler Runs Across the World … Literally". VISTA.Today. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Sixers Basketball | Official Site of the Philadelphia 76ers". www.nba.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "In the News!". Running the World for Children. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "PCSFN Community Leadership Award | odphp.health.gov". odphp.health.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "Newsroom | Business Wire". www.businesswire.com. Archived from the original on 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "12-Year-Old Running to Raise Money for Seva Foundation". www.optometryweb.com. August 17, 2016. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ Writer, Chanel Hill Tribune Staff (2016-09-13). "the national liberty museum honored local students with young heroes awards". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "USA Track & Field – News and Notes, Volume 13, Number 1 – Great Edinburgh International Cross Country". German Road Races (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "USA Track & Field – News – 11-year-old conquers a the world and helps American kids along the way". German Road Races (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ↑ "VIRTUAL 125th Boston Marathon Live Results". Virtual 125th Boston Live Results. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
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