Women runners carry inspiration across the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon finish line

MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)

From an Emirati grandmother who vowed to run 42 km every year to an athlete-artist living with Down syndrome and autism, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon teemed with stories of women embodying resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of sport. These inspiring runners were among the 10 featured on the all-new She Wins platform, one of the standout additions to this year’s event.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council with ADNOC as title partner, the seventh edition of the marathon on Saturday attracted more than 37,000 participants across multiple race categories. Joining them are the She Wins runners who carried a spirit that went beyond personal achievement.

Through their journeys, they sought to inspire, champion wellbeing and resilience, and show that determination can drive positive change.

Dr Mariam Al Blooshi, an ADNOC Onshore team leader, is a grandmother who has committed to running the Abu Dhabi marathon every year since its inception.

“When my family asked how long the marathon was and realised it was 42 km, they were amazed,” she told Aletihad. “But they knew I would go for it no matter what.”

For Dr Al Blooshi, running is not only a personal challenge but a message to younger generations. She recalled a training run where her grandchildren unexpectedly joined her in the park.

“They left the swings and started running with me,” she said. Dr Al Blooshi hopes her grandchildren learn the importance of staying active throughout their lives.

That philosophy lies at the core of She Wins, which highlights women balancing career, family and wellbeing.

“Being a working mother shouldn’t stop you from taking care of yourself,” Dr Al Blooshi added. 

A Wellbeing Champion

Yvonne Njue, an early years teacher, described her marathon journey as one of self-discovery. It began as a desire to improve her health and later evolved into a powerful lesson in discipline and mental resilience.

“I realised my body was capable of far more than I believed,” she told Aletihad. 
“The biggest shift, however, was mental. I learned that consistency, discipline, and showing up even on hard days mattered more than natural ability,” she added. “That realisation changed not only how I approached running, but how I approach challenges in life overall.”

As an educator, Njue uses her experience to promote wellbeing in schools, leading activity programmes, and encouraging both staff and students to view movement as part of everyday life.

“By embedding wellbeing into daily school life, I help young people understand that staying active supports not only physical health, but also confidence, focus, and emotional resilience,” she said.

“My aim is to normalise movement as part of everyday life and empower both adults and children to take ownership of their wellbeing.”

Believing in Oneself

For Emirati runner Khawla Almarzooqi, marathons have become a way of building trust with herself.

A double espresso, prayer, and disconnecting from her phone form part of her pre-race ritual. For Almarzooqi, running isn’t about going far or fast.

“It’s about showing up, building trust with yourself, and realising that progress happens one step at a time. It’s you proving to yourself that you can accomplish what you set your mind to. Humans are incredible beings, once they truly believe they can easily accomplish,” she said.

Her enthusiasm has also influenced her family, several of whom joined shorter race categories. “At the end of the day, the aim is to find what suits you and aids both your physical and mental wellbeing,” she said. 

‘Big Dreams are for Everyone’

Another standout runner in the crowd of thousands was Noor Elakhdar, an athlete and artist with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. She hopes her participation reshapes perceptions of ability.

“My goal is to inspire others to believe in their own potential and to show that big dreams are for everyone — not just a few,” she told Aletihad. “Ability is not one shape or one path.”