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Struggling to find motivation for your daily run? Malek Boukerchi, an ex-ultra-marathon runner with a flair for the extreme (and seriously chilly toes in Antarctica), believes there’s one particular daily distance that has the power to transform both your body and your mind—for good. Grab your trainers and read on: this is not just about running, but about running towards a new you.
The Man Who Ran Across the World—and the Ice
Malek Boukerchi is not your average jogger. He has run thousands of kilometres all over the planet, including a record-shattering ultra-marathon through Antarctic ice: 142.95 kilometres in two days at -40°C. Let’s put it this way: while the rest of us are complaining about lukewarm sports drinks, Malek needed his water hot just to keep it liquid!
But what turns running into transformation? For Malek, success in these brutal conditions is above all mental. He says the real challenge isn’t the cold, or even the pain—it’s mental preparation: becoming, in his words, not “a victim of pain, but a disciple.” In fact, he swears by a motto borrowed from the legendary runner Emil Zatopek: “If you want to run, run a kilometre. If you want to change your life, run a marathon.”
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The 42 Project: Transforming Lives, One Marathon at a Time
Malek didn’t start serious running until the age of 28—a late bloomer by athletic standards. But personal glory was never the only finish line in sight. For Malek, the greatest reward lies in collective achievement. Inspired by the potential for running to unite and uplift, he created the “Projet des 42”: helping 42 young people facing major difficulties to run a marathon distance—42 kilometres.
- Young people in search of meaning
- Early school-leavers
- Those stuck in precarious jobs
- University students struggling to find their place
The goal? To create a real mix, a group where everyone can “reawaken” themselves. For many, reaching the end of this marathon was about far more than just crossing a finish line: it offered prospects of employment and an opportunity to truly reconnect with society.
As a devoted mentor, Malek encourages his young trainees with positive mantras: “Look for beauty inside yourself, think of people you love.” His approach to coaching goes way beyond times and split intervals—it’s about mental resilience, community, and sheer human connection.
Running Against the Odds: Hardships and Hope
Running may sound glamorous—but for these fledgling marathoners, the road was harsh. Some had never run this distance before. During their training, Malek observed genuine hardship: some young participants, facing significant poverty, didn’t even have enough to eat.
But he’s a deeply optimistic storyteller (and a passionate motivator), convinced that sport provides structure for those who lack it elsewhere. He explains running—even more so, taking on a marathon—is often grueling, unrewarding, and downright tough, but above all, “super rewarding.” The key ingredients he sees in his trainees?
- Tenacity
- Commitment
- Discipline
These are the foundations that helped his students progress and embody new values, showing what a shared finish line can do for self-esteem and life perspective.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Track
Malek never forgot his own roots. He remains deeply proud of growing up in the Drouot district of Mulhouse, a neighborhood marked by segregation but also true solidarity. From his childhood in this so-called “sensitive” quarter to his later vocation as a speaker and mentor, Malek’s life story itself is an ultra-marathon of resilience and optimism.
The narrative doesn’t end at the track, and Malek isn’t alone in facing the uphill battles of mind and body. For example, Vincent Machet, living with obesity, struggles daily with eating disorders. He doesn’t run just to lose weight; rather, he wants to lose weight so he can run—a pursuit he’s loved since he was 15. His fight, like Malek’s, is about much more than the numbers on the scale or the speed over distance. It’s about reclaiming passion, energy, and dignity through movement.
Other stories—as seen with teacher Lolita Rivé or cancer survivor Virgilia Hess—remind us that every struggle, inside or outside the running path, can be the start of a journey toward connection and strength. Whether it’s supporting children navigating “micro-societies” at school, or enduring a breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, the determination to move forward binds them all.
So, what’s the life-changing daily distance swearing by? For Malek, it’s the marathon. Tackling those 42 kilometres is not just an act of endurance—it’s an act of rebirth, resilience, and community. Maybe you’re not gearing up for the Antarctic, but just tying your shoes and running that block can be the first step in a marathon that transforms far more than your legs. Ready to lace up?
