Two Oldham runners will complete their extraordinary year-long challenge on December 31, marking 365 consecutive days of running 10 kilometers daily to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Afruz Miah BEM, 51, and Monwar Hussain, 40, will make their final run at Alexandra Park at 12pm, bringing their total distance to 3,620 kilometers through their Miles4Humanity campaign. The pair have raised £120,000 so far and aim to exceed £150,000 by their February 1 celebration event.

“The challenge was initially only for Monwar as I was looking for someone to recruit,” said Miah, known as ‘The Running Man’ for his previous feat of running from Oldham to London while fasting during Ramadan. “Monwar is younger, fitter and more capable than me. I ended up joining him everyday for the past year.”

Medical and sports professionals had deemed their challenge impossible, but the duo persisted through injuries, fatigue, and harsh weather conditions. “The desperate condition of people in Gaza and war hit areas around the world motivates me,” Miah explained. “The challenges and difficulties people are facing on a daily basis in Gaza including parents pulling out limbs of children and loved ones from the rubble.”

Hussain, who has completed numerous marathons including Manchester and hopes to run London, admitted the year took its toll. “Running 10km every single day for a whole year has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” he said. “But I’m pushing through the pain and fatigue because the people of Gaza need our help. Palestinians are humans who just want to live a normal life.”

The campaign represents just part of Miah’s charitable efforts, having raised over £2.8 million for various causes through running in recent years. Both runners credit divine support and community backing for their success, with Miah noting it was only possible with “the blessing of God” and the prayers of people everywhere.

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