BHHS Alum Merrick Chernett Makes History as the Youngest to Conquer the Great World Race

Merrick Chernett, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Michigan and graduate from Bloomfield Hills High School, Class of 2024, has broken world records and made history as the youngest person to ever complete the grueling Great World Race. The Great World Race entails seven marathons run in seven days, on seven continents! The next youngest competitor to achieve this feat was 26 years old, making Chernett’s accomplishment even more remarkable.

Driven by a determination to push boundaries, Chernett shared, “The number one thing that drove me to complete the GWR was the idea of living my life to its fullest. When you take on challenges that are extremely difficult, you’re forced to leave your comfort zone, push yourself further than you ever thought possible, and grow as an individual.”

Chernett’s preparation was as rigorous as the race itself. Starting in May, he ramped up to running 100 miles a week by September and peaked at 20 miles daily over six consecutive days. He adjusted his diet, cutting out sugar and desserts, and focused on high-protein meals. This intense regimen resulted in a 25-pound weight loss over the course of training and the race. Beyond the physical demands, Chernett made significant personal sacrifices, choosing to forego typical college social activities like weekend outings to focus solely on preparation. “I trained so hard, I became obsessed with the race,” he explained. “This obsession took away my nerves and replaced them with excitement to show myself what I had been working so hard for.”

The Great World Race involves traveling across continents and enduring diverse, harsh conditions. Sixty racers began together, with a couple unable to complete all seven marathons due to the conditions. The racers traveled together on the Rolling Stones’ old tour plane, and ate meals on the plane between races. Chernett ran through Cartagena’s blistering 90-degree heat with 100% humidity, Istanbul’s cold rain at night, and Antarctica’s icy extremes, which led to frostbite on his lips. Despite stress fractures in his feet and heat stroke, Chernett never wavered.

Chernett found inspiration in the resilience of fellow runners, including competitors like Greg Gerardy, who completed the race at 53 while battling cancer and asthma, and Sean Swarner, the first cancer survivor with one lung to summit Mount Everest. “Their stories made me rethink my own struggles and pushed me to keep going,” Chernett reflected.

Chernett’s favorite location was Istanbul, where pouring rain and exhaustion tested the runners’ resolve. “The conditions made me laugh and smile. I embraced them and ran my fastest time yet, at 4 hours and 4 minutes.”

Chernett also balanced academic responsibilities during the race. While most University of Michigan professors excused the two-week absence, one professor required him to complete assignments while on the road. After finishing the Istanbul marathon at 2 a.m., Chernett stayed up until 5:30 a.m. completing a paper.

Chernett describes the GWR as the hardest challenge he has ever faced. “I got frostbite, stress fractures, and barely slept, but I gave everything I had. I wanted to leave nothing on the table and grow as a person.” The journey also brought lifelong friendships. “I didn’t know anyone before the race, but I met incredible, inspiring people who I plan to stay close with for the rest of my life.” Merrick Chernett’s extraordinary achievement serves as a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of stepping outside your comfort zone, and the joy of pushing your limits to achieve greatness. Congratulations to Chernett on this astounding achievement!