Qatar-resident in quest to break GWR for fastest crossing of Qatar on foot

Doha, Qatar: At 44 years old, Lecho Benedict Phele is not just running races he s running toward a dream that transcends finish lines and medals. He i...

Doha, Qatar: At 44 years old, Lecho Benedict Phele is not just running races—he’s running toward a dream that transcends finish lines and medals. He is attempting to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) on October 24 for the fastest crossing of Qatar on foot—from Al Rwais in the north to Abu Samra on the Saudi border—a distance of 193 kilometers.

The current record, set by Indian runner Ashutosh Prakash in 30 hours and 31 minutes, stands as a challenge Phele is determined to shatter. His goal? An astonishing 25 hours.

Originally from South Africa and now based in Qatar, Phele has carved out an inspiring athletic journey defined by resilience, self-belief, and a deep desire to uplift others, especially youth from previously disadvantaged communities.

Phele’s running story began modestly in 2011–2012 with a 10km fun run in South Africa—the FNB City Race. Though he didn’t race competitively for years afterward, that first experience sparked a realization: he had potential. It wasn’t until 2021 that he officially stepped onto the competitive scene, placing third in his age category (42–50) at the First Abu Dhabi Bank Half Marathon. Since then, his momentum has only grown.

In 2022 and beyond, Phele competed in numerous races across South Africa, the UAE, and Qatar—including the grueling Comrades Marathon, South Africa’s famed 90km “Ultimate Human Race.” He completed it twice: first in 8 hours and 42 minutes, then improving to 8 hours and 20 minutes this past June. He also ran the Dubai Marathon and the Abu Dhabi Marathon, clocking an impressive 3:02 in the latter. Just weeks later, he tackled the Uridu Marathon in January, finishing in 3:09 despite minimal recovery time.