“The 2023 TCS London Marathon takes place just after Ramadan ends, which means that participants who observe Ramadan will be fasting during the final few weeks of their training. I’ve always known I could run a marathon – I just wanted to make it that bit more challenging. It was more of a mental challenge rather than a physical one for me. “I have always been the type of person who likes a challenge that is a bit different and takes me out of my comfort zone – so that’s when I thought about doing a Ramadan marathon. Last year I managed to raise £31,000k in a single day during a marathon!
I also try to fundraise for charities, so knowing I can raise a vast amount of money for some amazing causes is another inspiration. So, running a marathon during the month of Ramadan was not only a challenge but a merging of two passions into one memorable day. “My religion and running have become real passions in my life. What inspired you to take on the challenge of completing a marathon during Ramadan in 2022? After I’ve broken my fast, I like to read the Qur’an before I go to the mosque in the evening to do a prayer in congregation and to meet my friends and family.”Įmon Choudhury at the 2022 TCS London Marathon If I don’t go for a run, I tend to go to the gym for strength training instead. Once I’m back home I tend to go for a run, usually an hour before my night prayer, which also happens to be the time that I’ll break my fast.
“I’ll do my early afternoon and late afternoon prayers at work. After my morning prayers I tend to stay awake and start my normal day at work – the only difference is that I’m not eating or drinking throughout the day. This is also the time we start our fast, so just before that I usually have a big bowl of porridge, a lot of fruit and a big jug of water. A typical day would see me wake up very early, around 05:00, so I can do my morning prayers. It’s a crucial period for me to reflect on life and a great chance to tune into my spiritual side. “Ramadan is always a special time of year for me. What does a typical day look like for you during Ramadan? “This year, I'm running the TCS London Marathon for the MND Association, having been inspired by my friend Rob Burrow MBE, the former rugby player who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019.” I think, after the pandemic, this has been crucial for me and thousands of others around the country. “The running has almost become secondary now, as I love the banter and being able to socialise with likeminded people. parkrun enabled me to develop a running network and community, which in turn encouraged me to join my local running club. Although it was only a 5K, the people were incredible, and I loved the fact that I was running with neighbours I’d only said ‘hi’ and ‘bye’ to otherwise. “I first found a local parkrun to join – Roberts Park parkrun in West Yorkshire – and my love for running really started from there. So, I thought to myself, ‘How hard can it be? I’ll give it a go’. The BBC asked me if I was interested in running the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that I gave my winnings to, Orphans in Need, which offers education and stability to orphaned children in third world countries and gives them a chance in life. But here I am, training for my sixth marathon and my third in London! I got into running by chance after winning the BBC Two show Race Against the World with my nephew Jamiul. “I only got into running two years ago – my first marathon was in London and the plan was to hang up my running shoes after that. It would be great to hear a bit about yourself.
#Running success story how to
Here, Emon shares his running story and offers tips on how to train for and complete a marathon during Ramadan. Now Emon is preparing for the 2023 TCS London Marathon, which falls just two days after Ramadan ends, meaning he’ll again be training for the event while fasting. This meant that Emon, who practices Islam and observes Ramadan, was fasting during the 26.2-mile challenge.
#Running success story series
Emon Choudhury – winner of the second series of BBC Two’s Race Against the World – has completed several marathons over the past few years, including two editions of the London Marathon and the 2022 Manchester Marathon, which took place during Ramadan.
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