An Indian man ran the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon in workwear as a tribute to blue-collar workers around the world.
Sadique Ahmed, 31, who works in the oil and gas industry, said he was inspired to run the 42.2km race in a hard hat and blue overalls to make people aware of the importance of health and safety at work.
The Abu Dhabi resident ran the race in a respectable four hours and 12 minutes, in what was the seventh marathon of his life.
“It was really difficult at times because the hat I was wearing was making me sweat a lot,” said Mr Ahmed.
“People kept saying they could not believe I was running the marathon wearing an outfit like this.
“It was hard to relax with the helmet, as it kept getting hotter and hotter while I was wearing it.”
He managed to finish the race in a time that many would be proud of however, and dedicated his achievement to blue-collar workers everywhere.
“I wanted to create awareness for those workers everywhere and show that sport can connect us all,” he said.
“It was important to send the message that everyone has to look after their health and fitness.”
It was the first time he ran a marathon wearing anything but regulation running gear.
His best time to date was at the Berlin Marathon, which he completed in three hours and 31 minutes.
The men’s category of Saturday’s race was won by Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat, with a personal best time of two hours and five minutes.
The women’s race was won by Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Eunice Chumba in two hours and 20 minutes.
The fourth Adnoc Abu Dhabi marathon: in pictures
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Dr Sultan al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc's group chief executive, honours Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Eunice Chumba and winners of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday. Wam -
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc managing director, with Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat and winners of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday. Wam -
Elite women's race winner Eunice Chumba of Bahrain with Kenya's Angela Tanui and Mare Dibaba at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday, December 17, 2022. All images Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
From left: Angela Tanui, who finished second, race winner Eunice Chumba and Mare Dibaba on the podium for women's elite category at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Race winner Eunice Chumba at the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
From left, second place runner Felix Kimutai, race winner Timothy Kiplagat, and Adeladhew Mamo at the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat won the Abu Dhabi Marathon after starting as a pacemaker. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat wins the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
People cheer on participants at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Runners line up at the start line. -
A band performs. -
People cheer on participants along the way. -
Participants wait to set off. -
People cheer on the runners. -
Action at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Participants warm up in the early hours. -
Participants prepare for the race. -
It was still dark when the runners set off. -
Participants have the finish line in sight. -
Kenyan Timothy Kiplagat won the men's race. -
Fans cheer on the participants in Abu Dhabi. -
Race winner Eunice Chumba. -
Participants at the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
The Abu Dhabi Marathon saw over 20,000 participants. -
Winners of the women's elite category of the Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
From left: second place Noaman El Assaoui, winner Anouar El Ghouz, and Ismail El Kharchi on the 10km run podium -
Timothy Kiplagat won the men's Abu Dhabi Marathon. -
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber presents trophies to Chloe Tighe, left, and Eilish McColgan after the 10km run.
