April 22, 2026
A Marathon of Solidarity: Muhammad and Safiya’s 26.2-Mile Journey For Gaza
On the 18th of April 2026, Muhammad and Safiya took to the streets to push their physical and mental boundaries for a vital cause. We are honored to highlight their incredible achievement in the Virtual Palestine Marathon, where they turned a shared passion for hiking into a powerful statement of support.

Preston for Palestine: The Guild Wheel Challenge
Walking the full 26.2 miles around the Preston Guild Wheel under official race conditions, the duo used the Racemate app to track their progress over a grueling seven hours. To bring the spirit of the marathon to their local community, they printed the marathon logo and placed it on every mile marker along the route, capturing a photo at each one to signify that Preston stands in solidarity with Palestine.
In Their Own Words
Muhammad shared a moving reflection on the experience and the “why” behind their journey:
“We have always enjoyed long walks and hikes—the quality time together and the fresh air. We thought: why not take on a challenge and support a meaningful cause?
This experience reminded us that you never truly understand someone’s struggle until you walk in their shoes—and even after 26.2 miles, we are nowhere near that reality. We had the freedom to move, to rest, to eat, and to return home. Many in Palestine do not. It was a privilege to do this in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”
Record-Breaking Support & Media Recognition
Their efforts did more than just raise awareness; they raised a phenomenal £2,160! These funds go directly toward providing nutritious meals, clean water, and basic necessities to displaced families and children in Palestine.
The impact of their journey even caught the attention of the local press. We were delighted to see their story featured in the Lancashire Telegraph, which highlighted the “Husband and wife duo” and their dedication to the cause. You can read the full feature here: Husband and wife duo raise £2,160 for charity marathon.

A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Muhammad and Safiya for their sincerity and grit. Completing a marathon is a monumental feat, and doing so to advocate for the vulnerable is truly inspiring. As Muhammad beautifully put it: “May Allah ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters around the world.”
Join the Next Adventure
Inspired by this incredible marathon journey? The impact of these efforts continues to change lives. If you’re ready to take on a challenge that makes a difference, join us for our next event!




![IF Charity staff packaging and distributing food parcels for families in Gaza, during Ramadan in March 2025 [IF Charity]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ifcharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/202503-Gaza-25.jpg?resize=600%2C600&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)

![IF Charity teams delivering fresh, clean drinking water to displaced people in Gaza in March 2025. The clean water is used for drinking, cooking and washing, and stops the spread of waterborne diseases. [IF Charity]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ifcharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/202504-Gaza-34.jpg?resize=600%2C600&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)

![A shepherd with his herd in Morocco [MISTR STUDIOS / @mistr_studios / Unsplash]](https://i0.wp.com/www.ifcharity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mistr-studios-y-bZmWm_CQA-unsplash.jpg?fit=600%2C400&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)



