Dr Murray, who is also a physical activity champion for the Scottish government, will begin his challenge in Antarctica on 23 November and will run around 225 miles during the week, averaging over 32 miles a day.
After leaving Antarctica, Dr Murray will head to Patagonia, Atlanta in the USA, London, Egypt, Dubai and Sydney, Australia.
‘It’s a genuine challenge, athletically and logistically,’ Dr Murray said. ‘It is a fantastic way to challenge myself and see some of the world in fast forward. But the most important thing is to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise - being active regularly is the single best thing for your health.’
Dr Murray has set up a website www5x50.co.uk to encourage people to walk, cycle or run 5km every day he is away. Scotland’s chief medical officer Sir Harry Burns, and Scotland’s minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison are among those who have signed up to the challenge.
'If we get 6,000 people to walk or run 5km a day for a week, that’s enough to go around the world five times,' Dr Murray said.
Earlier this year Dr Murray won the North Pole marathon and in 2010 he ran 2,850 miles from John O'Groats to the Sahara Desert.
