Wake County mom running 7 marathons in 7 countries in 7 days

Jennifer Solomon, 47, is a single mother to three children. Each have faced medical challenges, especially her 14-year-old, Rachel, who has cerebral palsy.

"My daughter has been a patient of Boston Children's Hospital since before birth," Solomon said.

Several years ago, Solomon entered her first marathon as a fundraising effort for her daughter's hospital. She said it was at that point that running changed her life.

Since then, Solomon has raised about $45,000. Now, she hopes to add more to that total as she takes on the World Marathon Challenge as one of 40 participants.

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"As soon as we finish, they load us up on a plane and we go to the next continent," said Solomon, who is running to raise money for seven other families at Boston Children's Hospital.

"It brings a whole different meaning to running," Solomon said. "It makes it so I run with my heart and not just my legs. I always say, when I cross the finish line, I feel like it's Christmas morning, buying a new car and getting a promotion all in one. That feeling is just amazing."

Solomon said she counts on Rachel if she ever needs motivation.

"She even recently told me, 'Mom, we just have a month to go. We can do anything for a month, just do what you need to do,'" Solomon said. "She's great."

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