London Marathon Expo organizer John Beeden rows across Pacific Ocean

John Beeden, the organizer for the London Marathon Expo, rowed across the Pacific Ocean, a journey that lasted 209 days at sea.

John Beeden

Like any visitor to Australia, the first thing John Beeden had to do when arriving was present his passport and identification to border officials.

But for Beeden, a Burlington, Ont. resident born in England, that process came after rowing an estimated 11,300 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean, beginning in San Francisco and arriving in Cairns, Australia.

Beeden is also a lifelong runner.

“Ever since I was a teenager I have run nearly everyday barring injuries,” Beeden told Canadian Running. “I was a steeplechaser and 5,000m runner, road racer and cross-country runner.”

“I haven’t been interested in competing since my early forties as I have nothing to prove, I just run six to seven days a week for the pure joy of the process,” continued Beeden.

Beeden noted his training regimen involved plenty of endurance running to prepare his body for the long distance journey across the Pacific Ocean.

Beeden is the expo organizer for the London Marathon, a World Marathon Major and one of the most popular marathon races in the world, attracting more than 35,000 runners each year.

RELATED: British runner Jamie Ramsay completes trek from Vancouver to Argentina.

Beeden is self-employed and works with a number of other sports exhibitions including venue and registration responsibilities for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

The journey lasted 209 days and was the first successful trip (land to land, solo, unassisted and non-stop) from North American to Australia – Peter Bird came within 53 kilometres of finishing the journey in 1983 but needed to be rescued.

The London Marathon Expo features guest appearances, Q&As with prominent athletes and celebrities (the 2015 expo included Emmanuel Mutai, Steve Jones, Dick Beardsley and a wide range of exhibitors.

RELATED: Astronaut Tim Peake to run London Marathon from space.

The 2016 London Marathon is set for April 24 while the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be taking place on Oct. 16.

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