Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Abdulla AlShehhi made history as the first Emirati runner to earn a six-star medal after completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo.
But for all his success on foreign shores, the race that means the most to him will always be the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. "It's the highlight of the year," says AlShehhi. "It's the most prestigious race in the UAE. Since it began in 2018, I've done every Abu Dhabi marathon, apart from 2019 when I was injured. It's the race that I cannot miss."
On December 13, joined by around 40,000 other runners across various distance categories, this year will be no different for him. AlShehhi, a team leader in construction (commissioning) with ADNOC Offshore, attributes his love for his home marathon to "the organisation, the course itself, and the vibes and activities around it. It's amazing," the 39-year-old says. "It's like a community celebration for sport."
AlShehhi, who clocked a highly impressive personal best of 3:29 at this year's Sydney Marathon, may be a sporting hero of the UAE – but his running journey began far from the heady heights of an elite athlete.
Eleven years ago, AlShehhi weighed 100kg. While pursuing a degree in Petroleum Engineering, AlShehhi told a fellow student that he was going to lose weight and that, after the summer break, he would "see a very different person." The student laughed and didn't believe him. It was the spark AlShehhi needed. A few months later, he weighed 70kg.
"I say this to others," says AlShehhi. "Maybe one word might ignite something in you and help in the long run. Everybody should try running. It might change your life forever."
AlShehhi's debut race was Run DXB in Dubai at the end of 2014, a 10 kilometres event. His first marathon followed a year later, which is when he caught a glimpse of the coveted Six-Star Medal. "It caught my eye," he says. "I started reading, and six different races in six different cities around the world became a goal of mine."
AlShehhi chose Berlin as his first major in 2017. He ran both Chicago and New York in 2018, followed by London in 2021 and Tokyo in 2023. In April last year, AlShehhi became a six-star medal holder in Boston – the race he found the most difficult. "I was a mess at the finish line," he laughs. "I started at 11:30am – very late – and the weather was hot, and the course very hilly."
Being the first Emirati to achieve the medal is a distinction AlShehhi carries with pride. "It means a lot," he says. "At first, I wasn't thinking about it too much, but now I realise it is history. One day, people will say 'Who finished all the majors first?' and my name will come up. If I reflect now, it makes it even more special."
Running may be a solitary pursuit, but AlShehhi runs with a team at his back: his family and ADNOC. Their encouragement powers every stride he takes. "My wife was with me during all six majors except the last one, because she was pregnant with our youngest child," the father of five says. "They are very supportive and proud. Without their support, I wouldn't have been able to finish this journey."
Of ADNOC, he adds: "Every time I have asked for leave to travel, they have been very supportive. They are understanding and have given me full support throughout my journey."
The next target is the Nine-Star Medal. Sydney, which he has already conquered, is now the seventh major, with two more destinations to be added over the coming years.While the ideal way to celebrate the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon would be to record a new personal best time – "hopefully, that's the aim" – AlShehhi's concluding thoughts are for runners on a journey similar to his 11 years ago.
For those running their first marathon, his message is simple: "Don't focus too much on the time. Trust your training and cross the finish line safely."
