Salem Al Hashemi's journey through the world's major marathons began not with ambition, but with simple curiosity. When his brother convinced him to participate in a 10 km race in Abu Dhabi during the Covid-19 pandemic, the civil engineer and former football player was unsure if he could cover the required distance.
The start of the running path
Today, after many years balancing work, family life, and training volumes of up to 100 km per week, he has completed all races in the expanded Abbott World Marathon Majors series. His journey spanned from the streets of Abu Dhabi to the most iconic marathon courses on the planet.
Al Hashemi told Khaleej Times that his initial goal was simply to find out if he could run 10 kilometers without stopping. Before this, at 34, he played football and CrossFit but had never run more than 3.2 km, which was required during his military service.
First experience and development
When his brother suggested he participate in a local 10 km race on Yas Island in November 2020, he decided to try. He recalls never having run 10 km before and doubted his ability to finish. Nevertheless, he crossed the finish line in 41 minutes, taking tenth place among about 500 participants and becoming the second fastest Emirati.
After this race, his life changed drastically. The next day, he bought his first pair of running shoes. A week later, he participated in another 10 km race and improved his time by more than a minute, finishing in under 40 minutes. It was then that he met the running community and joined the Abu Dhabi Running Team, leading to participation in race after race.
Achievements and difficulties
Since then, Al Hashemi has run over 100 local races and more than 20 international marathons, lowering his personal record to 2 hours and 48 minutes. One of the most memorable moments was participating in the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2021. As he approached the finish line, he suddenly experienced cramps in both legs and fell to the ground, despite believing the hardest part was behind him.
Despite the pain, he reached the finish line. This negative experience became a stimulus for him. In the next marathon, he experienced similar sensations: cramps occurred near the finish line. He remembered the previous incident and decided not to fall again, slowing down to walking before crossing the line, which brought relief.
Months later, in the Barcelona marathon, he finally broke the three-hour barrier, finishing in 2:58. This result unexpectedly qualified him for some of the world's largest marathons, including Boston and Chicago.
Psychological preparation
Al Hashemi believes that a marathon is ultimately won in the mind, although physical training is very demanding. One of the toughest tests was the 2023 New York Marathon. Passing through a section participants call the 'Quiet Bridge'—a stretch without spectators—he heard only the runners' breathing. He saw people stopping and falling, and at one point genuinely wondered if he should continue.
Another important moment occurred before the 2025 Boston Marathon. An injury sustained two months prior seriously disrupted his preparation, causing doubts about whether to start such a difficult race. The famous Heartbreak Hill in Boston added complexity. After the finish, his oxygen level dropped below 80%, and he was taken to the medical tent. He noted the constant struggle between the body's signals and the mind's thoughts.
To prepare for such situations, he intentionally develops mental resilience during long solo runs. He says he runs alone for hours, learning to talk to himself and constantly telling himself: 'I can do this.'
Work and family balance
These achievements were made while maintaining a full career as an engineer and raising five children. Marathon preparation requires about three months, with six training days a week involving distances from 90 to 100 kilometers. He explains that he has to work eight or nine hours a day, followed by another two or three hours of training, which is a real sacrifice, as time that could be spent with family sometimes has to be dedicated to preparation. Even annual leave must be planned around the race calendar.
Unlike many elite runners, Al Hashemi finances every stage of his marathon journey independently. He emphasizes that all expenses—travel, registration fees, and equipment—are covered by his own efforts, driven solely by his passion for and love of the sport. His engineering background has also influenced his approach to running: 'Engineering teaches problem-solving and forward planning. I plan my year based on work, races, family commitments, and vacations. If something changes, I find another solution.'
Recognition and future goals
By completing this journey, Al Hashemi has entered a small group of marathon runners worldwide. According to Abbott World Marathon Majors data, only 2094 runners received the official Six Stars Medal after completing the initial six major marathons by the end of the 2025 New York Marathon. Al Hashemi went further, completing all eight races in the expanded Abbott World Marathon Majors series.
One of the highlights he mentioned was participating in the parade of nations before the 2023 New York Marathon, where he carried the UAE flag. He noted that the announcer called out his name and country, and spoke about significant UAE landmarks, which was a very honorable moment for him.
Last year, Al Hashemi received an award from Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, for completing the Abbott World Marathon Majors. During the ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan highly praised his achievements and affirmed the council's commitment to supporting Emirati athletes and encouraging excellence in public sports. Al Hashemi noted that the honor from Sheikh Nahyan meant a great deal to him, as it showed that the leadership values the efforts of the athletes.
Despite reaching such a milestone dreamed of by many runners, Al Hashemi believes his journey is far from over. He smiled and stated that he has new goals that he is keeping secret for now. For him, every finish line is just the beginning of a new challenge.
