Against All Odds: One Man Sets Out to Do the Impossible

Four years ago Matthew Barnett was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism in both his lungs. His doctor informed him that he would never be the kind of man who could run a marathon, but now, the Los Angeles Dream Center co-founder is set to do more than just run a marathon - he's planning to run seven of them. In  just seven days.
 
Barnett will run the World Marathon Challenge in 2017. It will require him to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 consecutive days starting in Antarctica ending in North America. 
 
If successful, Barnett will complete 7 marathons in 168 hours, a feat that has only been completed by 30 individuals in the entire world.
 
"The World Marathon Challenge will redefine every physical, mental, and spiritual obstacle I've ever faced," said Barnett.  "It will stretch me, it will push me to my limits, but I will keep on going," he said in a video message on FaceYourself2017.com.  
 
Barnett will be completing the World Marathon Challenge as part of a fundraising initiative called #FaceYourself, where money will be raised for the L.A Dream Center. 
 
The Dream Center serves the homeless, the working poor, victims of prostitution and survivors of human trafficking right in the heart of Los Angeles. Barnett started the center in 1994 and today it provides help to over 85,000 men, women and children each month. 
 
Barnett is running because of his love for people.  He is challenging his physical body because he wants the Dream Center to continue doing the work of serving the needy in Los Angeles. 
 
"There is nothing Barnett wouldn't do to help the hurting people of Los Angeles; he is even willing to run around the world," said Johnnie Moore, Board Member of the Los Angeles Dream Center.