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In 2017, endurance athlete and cancer advocate Dave Mendelkern set out on an ambitious personal mission known as the 7x7 Challenge: completing a triathlon on each of the seven continents while raising funds for Blood Cancer United.
Over the following years, Dave completed triathlons on six continents — Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America. Antarctica would be the final and most complex leg of the challenge. There was no existing swim/bike/run triathlon on the White Continent, so the event had to be created from the ground up.
Working with race director Steve Hibbs of Marathon Adventures, plans for the White Continent Triathlon came together after years of delays caused by pandemic shutdowns, permitting hurdles, and environmental restrictions unique to Antarctica.
On December 8, 2025, six athletes completed the first-ever sprint-distance triathlon in Antarctica — a 400-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run. Conditions were extreme, with air temperatures around 30°F, winds near 35 mph, and water temperatures in the mid-30s. In an environment like this, safety and execution came first, and documentation was secondary.
Getting equipment to Antarctica presents serious logistical challenges. Transporting a full-size bike and standard bike box was not practical given space, weight, and handling constraints. A folding bike offered a workable solution so Dave tested his trusty Urbano in cold weather in Lake Tahoe, California to see if it would be able to do the job. At least two competitors rode ZiZZO folding bikes, including Dave’s ZiZZO Urbano, which was selected for its compact transport size and straightforward design. The bike was fitted with mountain bike tires and minor adaptations to better suit the terrain and conditions. In an environment where reliability matters more than marginal performance gains, simplicity was key.
Dave’s triathlon journey began in 1999 with Team In Training. Over the past 26 years, he has completed more than 200 triathlons and raised over $150,000 to support blood cancer research and patient services. His efforts have supported organizations including The Leukemia Society of America, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Blood Cancer United.
The completion of the White Continent Triathlon also marked the successful conclusion of the 7x7 Challenge, with more than $57,000 raised for Blood Cancer United.
While racing on every continent may sound extreme, Dave views the physical challenge as secondary to the cause it supports. The White Continent Triathlon was not about records or podiums — it was about adaptability, commitment, and finding ways to move forward under difficult conditions. Sometimes, finishing is the achievement.
ZiZZO is proud to have sponsored Dave and we all Congratulate him on his achievements on and off the bike fighting cancer!
