British entrepreneur gives up bad habits and plans 890km Gulf running challenge - Salam and support welcome
As-salamu alaykum. A British fashion entrepreneur has turned his health around after quitting cigarettes, alcohol and a fast-food heavy diet, and now plans to run across Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE to raise funds for charities including causes that help children and education.
Evren Ozka, a 34-year-old father of two, lost 25kg after taking up running and is aiming to cover huge distances to support good causes. He plans to start with a 190km run across Qatar on 13 November, followed by a 50km route through Bahrain on 15 November, and will finish with a very demanding 650km stretch across the UAE from 25–30 November.
He set up a luxury footwear and lifestyle brand after working in his family’s textile business. Preparing for the challenge, he says he’s ready for the usual problems that come with ultra-distance events - blisters, joint pain, stomach issues, dehydration and cramping - and that adaptability and determination are everything.
This isn’t his first ultra-distance test. Since he began running a few years ago - at first unable to run 1km non-stop - he completed a 160km trail race in under 28 hours, ran across all seven emirates of the UAE in just under six days, and once ran 843.94km on a treadmill in a week. With no existing record for completing all three Gulf countries back-to-back, he hopes to set a new benchmark for ultra-distance running in the region.
In training he’s been careful about calories and has been doing 130–200km weeks, peaking at 230km, plus lower-body strength work. During the attempt he expects to eat around 6,000–8,000 calories per day to fuel the effort. He’s also lost weight to reduce strain on his joints.
He’ll be accompanied by a small support team, including a physiotherapist, strength coach and a videographer to document the journey. His UAE route will begin in Fujairah and head toward the Saudi border; in Qatar and Bahrain he will run from the northernmost to the southernmost points.
He says his biggest motivation is his two sons, Buzul Leo and Boreas: he wanted to be healthier and set a positive example for them. He regrets lost time from earlier unhealthy habits and is now driven to push his limits, make the most of his time and inspire others.
May Allah grant him safety, strength and success in his charitable aims - and may his efforts encourage others to embrace healthier, purposeful lives.
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