Boy, 9, to run marathon in ANTARTICA in bid to complete one on every continent (and the next one will be in Mongolia!)

A nine-year-old boy is today preparing to run a marathon in Antarctica as he bids to complete a 26-mile race on all seven continents.

Pennsylvania youngster Nik Toocheck will be arriving in King George Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula, this weekend to take on the challenge amid the glaciers of the South Pole.

If successful in Monday's race, he will become the youngest person ever to complete such a feat.

Nik, from West Chester, said he was a 'little bit nervous' but couldn't wait to see the penguins.

It is the second stage of his round-the-world adventure, which he hopes will raise $1million for charity - a dollar for every step it takes to run seven marathons.

He will give the money to Operation Warmth, a non-profit group started by his grandfather that provides winter coats to underprivileged children.

'The last couple of weeks, it's been so cold and there are kids out there without winter coats,' Nik told Philly.com. 'So that's what kind of motivates me, to help get coats for them.'

Nik ran his first marathon on December 1 in Lewes, Delaware, and has competed in 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons since.

His love for the sport was inspired by his father, Dan, who will be joining him for the run in Antarctica.

The pair will be joined by 67 competitors for the race, which has been organised by travel company White Continent.

If he makes it through unscathed, his next run will be in substantially different climes.

'We're thinking about Mongolia,' Nik said. 'But it's not official yet.'