Biography

In 2010, following a 25-year mining career, in Engineering, Operation and Human Resources, Martin Parnell started his "Quests for Kids" initiative. Over the next five years he completed 10 "Quests". These included running 250 marathons in one year, setting five Guinness World Records in endurance events and summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 21 hours. At the end of 2014, he had raised over $1.3m for the humanitarian organization Right To Play and 27,000 children had been given the gift of hope. Martin has published three books: “MARATHON QUEST”, “RUNNING TO THE EDGE” and “THE SECRET MARATHON-Empowering women and girls in Afghanistan through sport”. He is also Executive Producer of “THE SECRET MARATHON” documentary. Through books, films, TEDx speaker, articles, keynotes and workshops, Martin shares his message of having a “Finish the Race Attitude – Set goals, overcome obstacles and achieve outstanding results”. Martin is a member of the Rotary Club of Cochrane, married to Sue, and has three children and three grandchildren.