Dubai, UAE – When Hamza Masmoudi first set foot in the UAE in 2019, he was a 22-year-old with no knowledge of English and little formal education.
He took up a job as a dishwasher in a restaurant in Ras Al Khaimah, struggling to make ends meet. Fast forward to 2024, and Hamza is now a globe-trotting athlete, an ultramarathon runner, and a rising name in the world of extreme sports.
Last Friday, he completed the 42-kilometer Doha Marathon in an impressive time of 3 hours and 13 minutes. Despite only taking up running two years ago, Hamza has quickly carved out a name for himself in endurance sports.
“I started running only two years ago,” Hamza shared with Khaleej Times. “By 2023, I shifted to long-distance running. I always aim to challenge my limits—I even ran five marathons in one month. Now, I’m sponsored by New Balance, giving me opportunities I could never dream of. I will be travelling to many countries to compete in marathons and sporting events in 2025.”
A Journey of Determination and Resilience
Hamza’s endurance feats are extraordinary. In March 2023, he ran 80 kilometers barefoot. In July, he endured a grueling 90-kilometer run in 45°C heat, followed by completing the world’s hottest marathon in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, in August.
His transformation, however, began in the kitchen. Working long hours as a dishwasher, he observed the chefs closely. One day, amid a particularly hectic shift, he stepped in to assist the overwhelmed kitchen staff.
“I offered to make a dish myself and told the chef to send it out only if he was satisfied,” Hamza recalled. “He was impressed and promoted me to cook the very next day.”
For two years, Hamza worked as a cook but felt an unshakable desire to pursue his passion for sports. In 2021, he left his job and moved to Dubai, determined to forge a new path. However, life in Dubai was challenging—at one point, he didn’t even have a permanent place to stay.
From Struggles to Success
Without the means to afford a gym membership, Hamza trained in public parks, practicing parkour and bodyweight exercises.
One day, a passerby was so impressed by his workout routine that he asked Hamza to train him. With the money he earned from that first client, he secured a place to stay and kick-started his career as a personal trainer.
His reputation grew rapidly, and at one point, he was training over 20 clients. However, he soon realized that balancing personal training with his own fitness goals was unsustainable. “Now, I work with just five clients and dedicate the rest of my time to my training,” he said.
Hamza’s rigorous routine includes stretching for four hours daily, ice baths, and sauna sessions to prevent injuries. His dedication has earned him recognition not just in the UAE but also back home in Morocco.
“Last summer, when I visited, one of the biggest TV channels invited me for an interview,” he said. “Watching that episode with my family and neighbors was an unforgettable moment.”
Looking Ahead
As Hamza prepares for an ambitious year of international competitions in 2025, he is also working on a home workout app in collaboration with a former client. His goal? To inspire others to push their limits just as he has.
“I believe fitness can change lives,” he said. “If I can do it, anyone can.”