Dr William Tan, neuroscientist and resident physician is an Asian-Pacific Games triple gold medalist, and has competed in many international games including the 1988 Seoul Paralympics. He holds six endurance marathon world records including the “Fastest time to complete Three marathons in Three Consecutive Days in Three countries”. He has skydived, water-skied, sailed and even climbed a 14-storey building to raise money. In 2007, Dr Tan became the first person in the world to accomplish a marathon in a wheelchair in the North Pole in 21 hours and 10 mins despite overwhelming obstacles and extreme conditions of –25 deg C. Later in 2007, he became the fastest person in the world to complete 7 marathons across 7 continents in 26 days, 17 hours, 43 minutes and 52 seconds.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 leukemia in April 2009, he endured 6 months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. In 2010, he accomplished two full marathons back to back on 7 and 14 November 2010 with times better than his pre-leukemia days. Later in 2010, he won a gold medal at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon’s 10 km event and completed a 500km ride from London to Paris in 4 days in 2104. In addition to being an incredible athlete, he is also a incredible humanitarian, championing causes close to his heart. He has used his athletic achievements to raise more than $18 million for charities all over the world over the last 22 years.