Where running dreams begin
The Abbott World Marathon Majors make running dreams possible. By connecting runners to the most iconic marathons in the world, you don’t just organise races — you create once-in-a-lifetime journeys through cities, cultures and unforgettable human stories. That is exactly why the World Marathon Majors have always been my ultimate running dream and you read it sometimes on my Strava.
Not the stars alone
Not because of the stars alone, but because each Major represents something bigger than a race: history, people, place and the shared emotion of marathon running across the globe. Running all of the Majors would mean experiencing that global story from the inside — and telling it as honestly as possible.
When the dream became real
I once stood next to another runner who had completed her Six Star journey. For just a brief moment, she let me hold her Six Star medal. I did not dare to ask in the beginning but I am happy to have felt it….It was only seconds — but I still remember the weight of it and what it represented. I am still grateful for that moment, because it made the dream real.
Why I want this dream?
My sense of life’s urgency did not come from ambition alone. It grew after losing both my parents, and it deepened even more after a near-fatal accident in Sarajevo, where I broke my neck and narrowly survived. Those moments changed how I see time. They taught me that life is fragile, unpredictable and never guaranteed. Since then, I don’t postpone dreams. I choose to live fully, to move, to travel, to run and to tell stories — because I know firsthand how quickly everything can change.
Me
I am Peter, founder of HRDLPN, a hardrunning platform where I document my marathon journeys through personal stories, photos and videos. I don’t just show finish lines, but the full experience: preparation, travel, doubts, excitement, the city, the runners around me and what makes each marathon unique.
Over the past years I have built extensive experience as a marathon runner:
– Last year I ran 14 marathons
– The year before, 10 marathons approx
– Alongside multiple ultraruns
And still, I make the biggest mistakes. I miss turns, misjudge pacing — and sometimes I even have to sprint into the bushes mid-race. Those moments keep me grounded and remind me that marathon running is never about perfection, but about embracing the full experience.
The stories I share
I share these journeys openly with my community. A few examples of how I tell marathon stories:
• Paris Marathon experience
• Prague Marathon experience
• Málaga Marathon experience
This is me directly after Jungfrau marathon finish in Swiss:
Connecting
These stories show how I connect running with place, people and emotion — exactly what the Abbott World Marathon Majors stand for.
What also defines me as a storyteller is that I am willing to go all in. I am even crazy enough to attempt a Guinness World Record by running the Amsterdam Marathon dressed in a full Dutch royal costume. Not for attention, but to show that marathon running can be bold, joyful and unforgettable — and that stories sometimes come from doing things just a little differently.
Strava, YouTube, Facebook and more
The stories don’t live only on my Strava with 700+ followers, my website and my YouTube (7.900 subs). Also in the running community through Facebook, where there is connection to inspire runners at every level. See the large Facebook group for beginning runners (https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardlopen), where people take their very first steps into the sport, ask questions and share their progress. At the same time, I am part of a dedicated Facebook group for a little more experienced runners, with over 5,800 members (https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardloop).
Why this opportunity matters
What excites me most about this 20th anniversary opportunity is not just completing the original six Majors — or even the possibility of chasing nine stars — but the chance to fully immerse myself in the world of marathon running. To explore Tokyo’s running culture, feel the history of Boston, meet runners in London, and bring the giant block party that is the New York City Marathon to life through storytelling.
Stories about runners and events
I am not chasing personal bests mainly. I am chasing stories. Stories about runners, cultures and cities — and about what makes marathon running such a powerful global experience. I believe every runner counts, fast and slow!
This is my running dream. And this opportunity would allow me to bring that dream to life, not just for myself, but for thousands of runners following along.
Kind regards,
Peter Viveen – Marathon runner en founder of runningcommunity HRDLPN
PS You can read more about me here 🙂
