REMARKABLE Coventry runner Haroon Mota has become one of only 10,000 ‘six-star finishers’ after completing the Boston Marathon while raising more than £25,000 for hungry children.
Haroon completed Monday’s marathon in four hours and 30 minutes, meaning he has now run the six major marathons in the world – London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo and Boston.
Haroon completed the Tokyo marathon last month and had to wait more than two years to add Chicago and New York to his list due to the pandemic.
All cash raised will go to ‘Charity Right’, which Haroon became an ambassador for in January.
Charity Right provides free school meals to children in Yemen, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Malawi and Turkey.
Haroon’s efforts will ensure more than 150 children from these countries get school meals for an entire year.
“I’m absolutely over the moon, the marathon went so well,” he said.
“Boston is known to be one of the tougher marathons, and there is one part in particular called heartbreak hill which is meant to be really hard – but it didn’t break my heart.
“The whole purpose of this is to get children back to school as so many across the world drop out and get a job just to afford a meal.
“An education is so important as it opens up new avenues for a better life for these young people.”
A devout Muslim, Haroon said he hopes his six-star finish will inspire others of the same faith to take up running.
He runs groups such as the Muslim Runners and Muslim Hikers to encourage people to take their first steps into the sport and said he welcomes all new members.
Haroon broke his fast for Ramadan on grounds of travel during his trip to Boston but will resume fasting when he arrives back in Coventry.
He’ll spend the next few days resting and preparing to compete in this Sunday’s London Marathon.
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/haroonrunsboston to donate to Haroon’s cause.
