New York Marathon

“My name is Zahid Umar and at the age of 62, I ran my first full marathon; The New York City Marathon (26.2miles) on 3rd November 2013! Al-Hamdulillah. I have been running for 5 years with a couple of half marathons, 10miles and several 10ks, raising money for various causes but I made myself a promise that if I get selected to run the New York City Marathon, I will be dedicating the race and donations to the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal.

It was a marvellous day and the started running at 8.00 in the morning. At mile 10, my ligament injury came back with vengeance so I ran and walked until mile 15. Then at mile 17, I could not bear the pain, somehow I managed to walk into the next first aid centre where they gave me some painkiller and strapped ice pack on my knee. After twenty minutes, I felt that I could walk and at last I touched the finishing line in 6 hours and 8 minutes.

It was all because of the tremendous support from family and friends all the way through that kept me going.”