After last year's continuous drizzle, runners knew they were in for a hard time with the sun shining strongly from the outset and temperatures set to rise above 20 degrees as the day wore on. Few have the strength and determination to complete such a mammoth task, and despite this years race being marred by the death of one runner from dehydration in the searing heat, this did not put off Alinoor Rahman, a determined runner who after months of training, successfully completed the race, finishing at four hours 23 minutes and 38 seconds.

Alinoor told Islamic Times, his aim was raising money and awareness of the oppression of Chechen civilians at the hand of the Russians.

“Chechnya is largely forgotten and ignored by the world. Places like Dafur, Palestine, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan have taken the limelight. The lack of criticism of Russia by western governments since 9/11 has also exacerbated the problem which is added by the lack of press coverage in the west and in the Muslim world,” “Our brothers and sisters have been facing oppression for a very long time.”

Future plans

If you think, the London marathon was enough to slow Alinoor down, you are mistaken.

“I will be doing a duathlon in September as part of my preparation for a triathlon next year, insha’Allah. I am also planning to do an ultra marathon (100km) in 2008. I also did a trek to the Everest Basecamp raising money for the earthquake disaster in Kashmir in 2005,” said Alinoor. “I’d like to thank Islamic Design House for their generous sponsorship.”

If anyone wants to make donations they can do so at justgiving.com/ AlinoorLondonMarathon.