630km Run Raises Dh16K

British endurance athlete Harry Amos, known for rowing 4,800km across the Pacific in 2023, recently described his latest accomplishment—running across all seven emirates in less than six days—as his most challenging feat yet.

The 38-year-old former soldier completed the extraordinary 630km run in five days, 21 hours, and 30 minutes, crossing the UAE-Saudi border around 1:30 am on Thursday.

Reflecting on the hardest moments, Amos said swollen feet were an unexpected challenge. "My legs were fine, but for the last two days, when I stopped, blood would rush into my feet, causing painful swelling. I had to elevate them during breaks," he explained.

Running an average of 100km daily, he endured physical pain and extreme exhaustion, functioning on just three hours of sleep each night.

To sustain energy, he consumed high-calorie meals like rice pudding with jam. Each day began at 3:30 am, with running stretches starting at 4 am and broken into 25-30km segments with short refueling stops.

Amos admitted the evening runs from 5 pm to 9 pm were the hardest, as he faced mental battles amidst the darkness.

Despite these hurdles, Amos remained committed, determined not to "take the easy way out."

His performance coach, Nick Coats, who is also an endurance athlete and former soldier, praised Amos, saying, "I saw one of the fittest displays of endurance and athleticism I have ever witnessed over those six days."

Even when Amos had the opportunity to rest at gas stations, he chose to stay by the roadside, adhering to his original plan.

Amos found joy in the changing scenery during his run. He described the "beautiful flat deserts" seen as the sun rose south of Abu Dhabi and the familiar cityscapes of Dubai and Sharjah.

Highlights also included climbing the mountainous roads in Masafi.

Supported by a dedicated crew—composed of Coats, physiotherapists, friends, and family—checkpoints were set up every 7.5km, providing him with food, water, and, by the third day, painkillers.

Amos relied on paracetamol and later switched to ibuprofen to manage his pain.

The grueling effort also resulted in hallucinations. "During the last 10km, I thought the friend running behind me was imaginary.

I was shocked when he ran ahead at a checkpoint and realized he was real!" he recounted.

Amos also shared a lighthearted moment when he found toilet paper lying by the roadside just when he desperately needed it, calling it a "thank you, God moment."

Amos undertook this ultra-endurance challenge with support from Spinneys, M42, Healthpoint Hospital, and Mubadala Health Dubai. His goal was to raise Dh15,000 for the International Diabetes Federation, ultimately exceeding his target by raising around Dh16,000.

He was inspired by his godfather, an avid mountaineer who has lived with diabetes for years despite being physically fit. "He even climbed to Everest base camp with his insulin supplies," Amos said, emphasizing his admiration for his godfather's determination.

Amos also hoped to raise awareness about lifestyle choices that lead to diabetes. "Most people get diabetes due to poor decisions—they eat unhealthily and don’t exercise. I’m not perfect, but I’m dedicated to running and exercising," he remarked.

He also advocated for the mental benefits of running, saying, "Running makes you happy and content in a way that nothing else does. The effects are lasting, unlike temporary highs from drugs or alcohol."

"If even one person starts exercising because of this challenge, I’ll consider it a success," Amos added.

Although he called this run his hardest challenge, Amos believes the next will be even tougher. "The toughest challenge is always the next one—I just don’t know what it is yet," he said.

For now, Amos plans to spend more time with his wife, two daughters, and 11-month-old son. "I have no immediate plans.

My wife has endured back-to-back challenges since we met, so now it’s about family time and focusing on some business too."

His wife, Phoebe, humorously added, "A few years ago, I asked him what would impress me. Now, I think a week of school runs would do the trick."

Amos has lived in the UAE since 2016 and runs a market entry consultancy in Dubai.

Source: khaleejtimes

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