REDDITCH-born charity adventurer Taz Habib has raised more than £1,500 running the London Marathon.
The former head girl of Bridley Moor High School said training was hard, but she battled through to continue her fundraising quest in aid of the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (IKCA).
Taz said: “In week three of my training plan, I sustained a grade two hamstring tear from stretching – resulting in a two-week break, after which I still wasn’t fully recovered but had to pick training back up and push through the pain.
“Training also coincided with Ramadan which added to the challenge, having to run without water as I fasted for over 16 hours-a-day.
“Throughout, I remembered my purpose and why I was doing this – for the underprivileged cancer patients that IKCA supports, who go through far worse pain than I was experiencing – I couldn’t give up.”
Taz has been supporting the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (IKCA) for over 15 years and through her daredevil challenges has raised funds for this worthy cause.
In 2018 she trekked to Everest base camp and did a sponsored parachute jump in Dubai for the same cause.
She has even pulled on her running shoes to raise funds for the Rory the Robot prostate cancer campaign with Redditch Lions and salary sacrifices a portion of her wage – known as a zakat (one of the pillers of Islam) – for IKCA.
She added: “Marathon day itself was surreal.
“The crowds were roaring with energy that carried me along, with so much generosity from spectators and excited children holding out their hands for high-fives from runners – I tried to tap as many as I could, hoping they will get me to the finish line.
“By mile 18 I was struggling with severe pain in my knees but found the determination to carry on having met so many inspirational people on my way.
“Seeing my husband at mile 25 gave me the last boost I needed to get over the finish line in 4hrs 55secs – I still can’t believe I did it.”
Although Taz has completed the marathon, her fundraising page is still open to donations.
Visit justgiving.com/page/tasneemlondonmarathon2024 to donate.
