It's 26.2 miles requires epic amounts of energy, stamina and determination. Raja Aslam however will running on empty when he does the Manchester Marathon tomorrow (Sunday).
He will join the starting line up while fasting during Ramadan. But it has not deterred him from taking part in a bid to raise funds for a charity helping survivors of the earthquake in February which cost 57,000 lives in Turkey and Syria.
Raja, a father-of-four, from Blackburn, who was brought up in Longsight, said: "This is the toughest challenge I have ever done. When I run I will have been fasting for 24 days - eating and drinking nothing between sunrise and sunset. I just have to refuel at night with plenty of water and protein and carbs.
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"I have been practising running while fasting - three weeks ago I did 20 miles in two hours 54 minutes. I run five times a week and I am ready for it. I only started running in 2019 when a friend asked me to join him in a 5k run for Cancer Research about four days before the event. I had never run before, only played football. My friend expected us to walk, but I did it in 32 minutes and raised £350.
"I have done five marathons previously. My first was the virtual London one during lockdown, then the next year I did London and Manchester two weeks apart and then the year after London and Amsterdam."
He was inspired by a friend who works for a charity to raise money for the Abu Faisal Trust which is sending food, clothes and shelter to survivors of the deadly earthquake which razed entire towns. "It is something I feel very passionate about - we have to help. It will take years to rebuild communities. I have not set a target I just hope people will donate," he said.
A foster carer, Raja won a 12-week virtual coaching training plan to help him prepare for tomorrow's marathon in a competition run by retailer Sports Direct and Adidas. He has also been sponsored by RunThrough, who organise events throughout the UK, and sponsored his kit.
On his JustGiving page Raja says: "This is all for Turkey & Syria to come together and show our support for them in their most difficult time by raising as much as we can collectively. I'm sure most of you are praying, thinking, giving money to our Turkey/Syria brothers and sisters due to the earthquake.
"People losing some or all family members, their homes, their belongings, no food and drink, it's unimaginable, a very harsh situation to be in. We don't get natural disasters in UK. Can you imagine if we did? What if we had that disaster? I can't imagine being in that situation, losing everything.
"Let's give extra to our brothers and sisters who are suffering immensely. We are all one body, if one person suffers, we should all feel the pain. Let's all step up our running, push our boundaries, more challenges, all to push ourselves and to remember Turkey, Syria and other countries that are suffering around the world. We feel your pain, and we will not forget, we are with you all the way."
Donations can be made to Raja's appeal here.
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