Bin Hajar is first Emirati to conquer Great Wall Marathon for a cause close to his heart

Khaleej Times

25-05-2025

When Abdulla Bin Hajar Al Shehhi crossed the finish line at the Great Wall Marathon, one of the most punishing in long-distance running. he wasn't thinking about the pain or the historic feat. He was thinking about the children he was running for—young cancer patients waging battles far greater than his own.
The Emirati endurance runner, an engineer by day, became the first athlete from the UAE to complete the gruelling race, known for its punishing terrain and more than 5,000 stone steps winding through one of the world's most iconic landmarks.
'Running the Great Wall Marathon wasn't about chasing a personal record or proving something to myself,' he said. 'It was about standing in solidarity with children who wake up every day to fight battles far tougher than any race. With every step, I wanted to carry their strength, their courage—and let them know they're not alone.'
Motivated by the courage of young cancer patients, Abdulla partnered with Al Jalila Foundation, a non-profit healthcare organization established in 2013 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and YallaGive to launch a fundraising and awareness campaign supporting childhood cancer research and treatment.
His participation in the race, held near Tianjin in northeastern China, helped spotlight a cause that transcends sport.
The Great Wall Marathon is more a test of resilience than speed and Abdulla embraced the challenge not as a competitor, but as a messenger.
'Every marathon has its story,' he says. 'This one was about hope, not finish times.'
A Decade-Long Journey of Transformation
Abdulla's path to international marathons began over a decade ago, in his home emirate of Ras Al Khaimah where he set out on a personal mission to lose weight. Then weighing nearly 100 kilograms, he struggled to stay on a treadmill for more than a few minutes.
But something shifted in 2014. During one of his walks, a marathon advertisement caught his eye. Curious and inspired, he signed up for his first race in Dubai. Crossing the finish line was just the beginning.
Since then, Abdullah has completed 15 marathons across the globe—including all six of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. In April, he ran the Boston Marathon, becoming the first Emirati to earn the coveted Six Star Finisher Medal.
Yet despite these accolades, Abdulla is quick to downplay the medals and milestones.
Raising Awareness, Inspiring Others
'It's not about collecting achievements,' he said. 'It's about using sport to give back—to raise awareness and hopefully, inspire others.'
Balancing his athletic goals with a demanding career hasn't been easy. As an engineer at ADNOC, Abdulla spends two weeks each month working 12-hour shifts on a remote island. He often trains by running laps around the island before or after work.
Abdulla's ambitions stretch far beyond the Wall—or even the continent. He dreams of running a marathon on every continent and one day seeing a race that unites all the Gulf nations. But his message remains grounded.
'Set goals. Stick to them. Keep going, even when it gets tough,' he said.
For children facing cancer, those words carry more than motivational weight—they're a lifeline. And for Abdulla, that's reason enough to keep running.