Gordon Smith saved the toughest one for last. As if running a 26.2-mile marathon isn't arduous enough, Smith, a globetrotting Alexandria, Virginia resident, is one of only 74 people in the universe who has run a marathon on all seven continents. The single software engineer recently wrapped up his seven-continent quest when he ran a marathon on what is known as the coldest, windiest, iciest, and most remote continent on earth.

The Antarctica Marathon, a.k.a. "The Last Marathon," was Smith's chilling finale to his global marathoning goal. The race was held on March 2, 2003 on King George Island just off the Antarctic Peninsula.

Antarctica is known more for its abundance of penguins, gigantic icebergs, and remote wilderness than it is for its running race schedule. "It was just spectacular," commented 44-year-old Smith, who has run a total of 22 marathons. "I felt like I was on another planet, not at a running event."

With roughly a 20,000-to-one penguin-to-human ratio, Antarctica is the least inhabited place on earth. Antarctica's population of mostly scientific researchers is about 1,100 in the winter and swells to 4,000 or so during the brief summer (December through March).

The extraordinary faraway marathon feat earned Smith a spot in the Seven Continents Club, an organization conceived by Thom Gilligan, founder and race director of the Antarctica Marathon and president of Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel. "Believe it or not, there is a demand for a marathon in Antarctica," explained Thom Gilligan. "There are travel-loving marathoners who want to compete on all seven continents."

The non-dues paying Seven Continents Club now boasts 55 men and 21 women members. "Club members paid their dues many times over during the their pursuit of their goal," joked Gilligan. "The club was primarily formed to recognize their tremendous achievement."

The road to the Seven Continents Club was a long venturesome journey for Smith who ran 1,835 miles and traveled some 50,000 miles by air, land, and sea to meet his goal. Naturally, North America was the most attainable continent for Smith. He had already run 15 domestic marathons including such patriotic favorites as the Marine Corps Marathon and the 100th Boston Marathon.

Smith's international circuit started with the Paris Marathon (Europe) in April 2000, the Millenium Marathon in New Zealand (Australia/Oceania) in January 2000, the Great Wall of China Marathon (Asia) in May 2001, the Two Oceans Marathon (Africa) in March 2000, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Marathon (South America) in August 2002, then he topped it off with a fourth-place finish in the marathon at the bottom of the world, the Antarctica Marathon. "Don't expect to run a PR when jet lag is holding you back," said Smith whose 2:40:51 PR was set at the Houston Marathon in 1995.

Getting to the Antarctica Marathon was almost as much a test of endurance as the marathon itself. Smith started his two-week voyage with a flight to Miami, then an overnight flight to Buenos Aires, Argentina. There, Smith met up with the 110-member expedition group of mostly runners. The group then hopped a four-hour flight to the town of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, the world's southernmost city, where they boarded their home for the next ten days, the converted Russian research vessel, the Akademik loffe, for a two-day journey through the Beagle Channel across the notoriously treacherous Drake Passage, and then finally into Antarctic waters.

Prior to race day, Smith and other members of the expedition were able to stretch and try out their land legs by exploring a number of wildlife-packed islands in the South Shetland Islands. Seals, penguins, and other bird species were plentiful and unafraid of their Antarctic human visitors. "We didn't see polar bears, though; they are only in the North's Arctic," Smith pointed out. Frequent sightings of breaching whales also entertained the group.

Come race morning, the 90 athletes from 13 countries boarded zodiacs and were shuttled to shore. Two Chilean and two Chinese runners from their nearby research bases joined the field while volunteer and moral support was provided by residents of the scientific research bases from Chile, China, Uruguay, and Russia

A running event where shorts and bare legs are observed as frequently as authentic Elvis sightings, many of the marathon and half-marathon participants lined up at the start in multiple layers of warm attire and ski goggles.

Smith soon learned that the 20-degree cold was just the tip of the iceberg. "We had 25 to 40 mile per hour winds and blowing snow at the start," said Smith. "We looked more like we were going skiing than running a marathon." Wind-blocking and moisture-wicking attire was the dress of the day for Smith, along with a pair of new trail running shoes.

The day prior, distinctive pink flags and ribbons were planted in the drifts and ice to guide the runners through the one-of-a-kind course. In addition to gnarly hills, glacial streams, and a half-mile ascent of Collins Glacier, the double- loop course also featured a tour though Russian, Chilean, Uruguayan, and Chinese scientific research bases. The races have become a highlight on the researchers' summer calendar, as the staff line the course to provide water and vocal support.

The race started at 10:00 am at Bellingshausen, a Russian research station and venue for the start and finish. Kevin Allen, a 28-year-old Briton, took the pace out hard for the first nine miles. A more experienced Pole, Bogdan Barewski (48), kept him within sight while saving his strength for the second climb on the glacier. An aggressive lone fur seal, meandering on the course, forced Allen to steer clear and cost him precious time and energy. Barewski maintained his stride to pass the surprised and faltering Brit at the 10-mile mark. Thoroughly warmed up, Barewski picked up the pace for the win.

Smith finished a respectable fourth overall in a time of 4:03:47 and continued to run and walk for another two hours. "I had warmed up and was still enjoying the whole experience," said Smith. "I just wasn't ready to go inside a room and end it all."

In the women's race the defending female champion, Jane Baldwin of Phoenix, positioned herself among the top ten men. The 41-year-old used her Antarctic experience to overtake many of the men over the last few miles. A self-described "Antarctica fanatic," Baldwin never wavered and finished first woman and fifth overall in 4:11:10. Carolyn Shull (29), a Navy pilot stationed in Puerto Rico, came in second to finish her debut marathon in 4:33:29.

What will be next global goal for this transcontinental marathoner? "I may try to paddle all five oceans," said Smith, an avid sea kayaker. "I already have two oceans under my belt."

For complete race results or more information on the next Antarctica Marathon, contact Marathon Tours and Travel at (617) 242-7845 or log on to www.marathontours.com.

Patrice Malloy is a freelance writer and consultant living and running in Cardiff by the Sea, California.