The Running Refugees

The Iron Man competition is considered the toughest endurance challenge in the world. Competitors will swim 2.4 miles, bike for 112 miles, and cap it off with a 26.2 mile run all in one sequence. It is a once in a lifetime achievement. But, for Ali Zeidan, a single Iron Man was not the end, but only the beginning. Ali has run numerous marathons and half Iron Mans and was working his way towards his first full Iron Man in Madison, WI. September 11, 2022. With his wife Duaa and daughters Sofia and Aleesa with him every step of the way, he successfully completed his first Iron Man with a time just over 15 hours. While most people who complete an Iron Man celebrate their accomplishment with plenty of food and rest, Mr. Zeidan did what most people in the endurance world would consider unimaginable. He signed up for another full Iron man 2 weeks later in Chattanooga, TN.  On tired legs and little rest, Ali finished with a times of 13 hours and 54 minutes smashing his first Iron Man time just 2 weeks earlier. If you think it is time for Ali to sit back, relax, and kick training back up in 2023, it is not even close. Ali also signed up for BOA Chicago Marathon 10.9.22. As one would imagine, this should be a ceremonial type run with 2 full Iron Mans in 3 weeks under his belt.  Prior to this marathon Ali has run 12 Marathons with a goal to break 4 hours but has been unsuccessful on all attempts. But something just happened!  With perfect running weather and a man on a mission, Ali busted 4 hours with a time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.  Two full Iron Mans and a sub 4-hour marathon in 4 weeks! “I would not have accomplished this if it weren’t for my two daughter Sofia and Aleesa, they are my inspiration” Mr. Zeidan said. Ali was well prepared to take on this grueling challenge. “While I would not advise it, you can PR in back-to-back races with the right training program. I trained using the zone2 HR all summer and it helped me PR for the Iron Man and Chicago Marathon”. 

Now, Ali Zeidan is presented with another challenge. He joins the charity endurance team the Running Refugees and will oversee the Chicago Marathon Training Program in 2023. It will be the team’s first official marathon team to help raise funds for the first ever At Home Dialysis Center in Ramallah Palestine. “We are excited Ali will be running our marathon training program in 2023” says Refugee Life Foundation Chairman Rush Darwish. “He will be the one who helps our members successfully cross the finish line!” For more information about joining the Running Refugees Marathon team, sign up using the link below.