When he's not helping ensure the safe and efficient movement of freight across Norfolk Southern's network, General Manager of Operations Neville Wilson can often be found logging miles in running shoes. Over the years, that hobby has taken him around the globe and led to an accomplishment achieved by only a select group of runners: completing a marathon on every continent. Since the Seven Continents Club was established in 1995, just 1,316 people have achieved the feat.
For Wilson, the accomplishment began as a personal challenge.
After running track in high school, he stepped away from the sport for years before returning through local road races. A 5K became a 10K. Then came Atlanta's Triple Peach series, his first marathon, and eventually a much larger goal: complete a marathon on every continent.
"I felt like it was an interesting challenge and a great opportunity to test both my physical and mental capabilities," Wilson said.
Over the last several years, that challenge has taken him to some of the world's most recognizable races and destinations. He has completed marathons in cities and countries around the world, but one race stands apart from the rest.
Antarctica.
Getting there required crossing the Drake Passage by ship before racing in below-freezing temperatures, blowing snow and icy conditions. Not everyone who made the trip was able to finish the course. Wilson did.
"I was blessed enough to complete the course and check the box," he said. "Antarctica is probably one of the last places left untouched. It’s beautiful."
As if completing a marathon on every continent wasn't enough, Wilson recently added another notable achievement to his résumé. After finishing the Cape Town Marathon earlier this year, he became one of the first runners in the world to complete all eight Abbott World Marathon Majors.
The series includes marathons in Tokyo, Japan; Boston; London, England; Berlin, Germany; Chicago; New York City; Sydney, Australia; and Cape Town, South Africa. Wilson was part of the first group of runners to complete the series after Cape Town was added as the eighth major.
While the accomplishments are impressive, Wilson sees running as less about medals and milestones and more about pursuing personal goals. With seven continents and 13 marathons behind him, he has a new goal in mind: completing a marathon in all 50 states.
"It's really about challenging myself and having something to work toward," he said.
By Martin Wattenbarger, Senior Communications Manager
Martin leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern Operations, with an emphasis on safety culture and performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He joined NS in 2020 and has nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications experience in the private and public sectors.
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@2026 Norfolk Southern Corp.
650 W. Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
@2026 Norfolk Southern Corp.
650 W. Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
