Man takes on multiple marathons on a mission to diversify the sport

A Coventry man is taking on four global marathons on a mission to inspire change amongst the Muslim community and help improve people's wellbeing by encouraging them to take on impressive athletic challenges.

Haroon Mota (pictured), a keen marathon runner and the head of challenge events for the UK-based charity, Penny Appeal, was saddened to discover that there were very few participants who 'looked like him ' when taking part in his first big race.

He said: "I began running in 2011, completing a half marathon in my hometown of Coventry. I later signed up for the 2012 London Marathon in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

"At first, running a marathon was something to tick off the bucket list. While I 'd always been into sports and keeping fit, taking part in a marathon was supposed to be a one-off. Running also helped me deal with my grief after my father tragically passed away in a car accident. ”

Haroon, who says many Muslims may traditionally shy away from exercise, says he hopes to inspire more people to feel confident enough to get outdoors and take on a challenge or two.

He said: “Exercise isn 't necessarily part of our DNA [as Muslims]. We 're so often so engrossed in following a religious path that it can fall by the wayside. ”

Setting out on his mission, Haroon aimed to unite a team of local people from the Muslim community who would take part in the next Coventry race.

He gathered a small team of people around him, completing the race and emerging victorious in their mission to introduce more ethnic minorities to sport. After that, more and more people put themselves forwards to join Haroon and soon he 'd set up several Instagram accounts to champion the cause.

Haroon 's mission to bring more diversity to sport has led him to several brand partnerships wit Sports Direct and renowned sportswear brand Arc 'teryx.

After marathons globally were cancelled during the start of the pandemic, Haroon set himself a further challenge to run 260km all while fasting during Ramadan.

This year, he 'll be taking part in the Berlin Marathon on 26 September, before competing in the London Marathon on 3 October. Just a week later, he 'll run the Chicago Marathon, on 10 October, finishing on 7 November with the New York Marathon. These races will all be part of #Running4Palestine.

Haroon 's initial goal was to raise £25,000 last year - but while lockdown was a challenge in itself, he still managed to smash his fundraising target, raising over £50,000.

During this challenge, Haroon is starting all over again, yet again. He hopes to raise £50,000 and he 's already managed to raise £8000, with the help of the public.

Haroon said: "To raise awareness of their plight, I have pledged to raise £50,000 to help provide emergency aid to those affected by the most recent airstrikes and violent attacks in Gaza, and also offer humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of Palestian families who are struggling with harsh economic hardship. I 'm particularly looking forward to taking part in the London leg of my four-marathon challenge."

Via his Just Giving page, Haroon is raising funds for the Palestinian people who are in need of a safer and more comfortable life. You can donate here

A donation of £50 will help provide vital food packs to Palestinians, while £100 will ensure medical aid reaches the critically injured.

A pledge of £300 will buy a specialist kit for medical rooms, while £500 could provide hospital support.