Dr. Clark Gamblin ’87 believes the body will do what the mind says. The Professor of Surgery and the Vice-Chair for Clinical Operations at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has tested this belief. He will test it again from January 31 to February 6, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
Gamblin is part of an international team of 60 runners who will complete marathons in Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil, and the United States. Through this challenge he aims to raise $250,000 for the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation (TCAF).
The JA graduate’s route to this running adventure may have begun on the track and football teams at Jackson Academy. Still, life experiences along the way have given him additional reasons to push boundaries—for himself—and for the cancer patients he treats. Although he has been providing care for individuals with cancer for more than 25 years, in 2018, the tables were turned when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After a series of operations and chemotherapy, he is now cancer free. For Gamblin, running was a therapeutic part of his treatment, providing moments for prayer, reflection, and gratitude.
Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men ages 15 to 44 and is very treatable when detected early. Gamblin’s hopes for the World Marathon Challenge are to reduce the stigma about a common type of cancer that affects young men, inspire others, and raise awareness.
The former JA student body president became interested in a medical career in high school. “I certainly point to an anatomy and physiology class I took at JA as a junior being a big influence,” he said.
Other influences at JA helped guide his life and continue to do so. “I became a growing Christian due to Young Life on the JA campus,” he said. “Ray Higgins was and is a mentor to me.”
Although he ran in high school and completed a few marathons during college, it wasn’t until 2018 that he returned to seriously training for marathons. He ran the Boston Marathon shortly before his cancer diagnosis in 2018. Then, while taking chemotherapy, his medical team cleared him to run the New York City Marathon. He went to Berlin, Chicago, London, and Tokyo, completing those marathons and earning the Six Star Medal of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.
As he faces 183.4 miles of marathon running in seven days, he depends on his belief that the body will do what the mind tells it to—that individuals can do far more than they think is possible. He hopes his perspective of setting goals, pushing boundaries, and cultivating a grateful heart will provide hope for others.
“In life, we tend to let fear direct us,” Gamblin said. “Setting high goals and not being afraid of failure will take you much further. We are capable of much more than we often think.”
Follow the 2025 World Marathon Challenge of Dr. Clark Gamblin ’87 on Instagram at @tclarkgamblin or contact him at tcgamblin@mcw.edu.
For additional information, visit:
- https://cbs58.com/news/meet-the-milwaukee-surgical-oncologist-running-7-marathons-on-7-continents-in-7-days-through-the-world-marathon-challenge
- https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/2024/10/07/milwaukee-doctor-is-running-7-marathons-on-7-continents-in-7-days-for-cancer-charity/75391221007/?scrlybrkr=391bf836.
