Scottish Runner Completes Seven Marathons on Princess Cruise
Trail runner Paul Manson ran a marathon each day of a seven-night Mediterranean cruise aboard the Enchanted Princess in August 2026, covering nearly 300
Scottish trail runner Paul Manson ran seven marathons in seven days during a Mediterranean cruise in August 2026. He completed the feat while sailing aboard Princess Cruises' Enchanted Princess.
Manson, known online as the Random Runner, began his 'Run the Med' challenge on August 4 in Rome before boarding the ship. He ran marathon distances at each subsequent port call: Naples, Kotor, Corfu, Katakolon, and Messina in Sicily. For the single sea day, he ran 185 laps on the Enchanted Princess's jogging track located on Deck 18, using a hand clicker to count.
Princess Cruises celebrated the achievement on its UK and EU media Instagram page, calling it an "incredible achievement and a unique way to explore the Mediterranean."
Marathon Routes and Distances
Manson documented each run on Instagram, sharing photos from iconic landmarks. His Rome route passed the Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. His final marathon in Sicily included a 2,500-meter descent down the active Mount Etna volcano. Manson commented on the grueling finish, noting he was coated in sweat and ash. "Looks like I’ve been working down in the mine," he said, later explaining he was unaware the volcano was erupting at the time. He remedied the situation with a jump in the sea.
The source provides a detailed breakdown of the distance covered during each segment of the challenge:
| Location / Segment | Distance (km) |
|---|---|
| Rome | 42.3 |
| Naples | 43.9 |
| Onboard Enchanted Princess | 42.2 |
| Kotor, Montenegro | 42.6 |
| Corfu | 43.0 |
| Olympia (Katakolon) | 43.0 |
| Messina (Mt. Etna) | 42.5 |
Total Distance and Runner's Reaction
Over the seven days, Manson ran a total of 299.5 kilometers, or approximately 186 miles. And what a week it was."
He faced additional challenges from crowds, heat, and high humidity but completed each marathon with a positive attitude focused on exploration.
Upcoming Video Project
For cruise guests inspired by his journey, Manson is planning a full feature-length film about the experience. He stated he will post it to his Instagram in the coming weeks as he edits footage and photos from the trip. Several shorter highlight videos from various ports have already been shared, offering insights on planning, hydration, and enjoying the route.
His unique challenge demonstrates an extreme use of a cruise ship's fitness amenities while combining intensive port exploration.
