Manal Rostom Becomes the First Egyptian Woman to Complete Great Wall Marathon in China

Another inspiring Egyptian made history today. Manal Rostom became the first Egyptian woman to complete the Great Wall Marathon, conquering China’s most famous landmark.

“I have no words right now to describe my feelings except massive thank you to everyone who has supported me and my cause,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “This has been one emotional marathon.”

Rostom, who finished the 42-kilometer race with a time of 6:24:48, ran the marathon to raise awareness for her “Plant a Garden for JB” project in collaboration with the 10,000 Gardens in Africa movement. Her project aims to plant a community or school garden in a rural area of Egypt in memory of Rostom’s late friend.

With fitness a central facet of her life, Rostom is Nike’s only hijabi representative. She also founded the popular “Surviving Hijab” Facebook group, a platform for veiled women to help motivate each other.

WE SAID THIS: Congratulations, Manal! You make Egypt proud. To donate to “Plant a Garden for JB”, click here.