Michelle Butiu
Filipina fitness trainer and ultra runner Michelle Butiu has embarked on the fastest crossing of Qatar on foot (female) in a GWR attempt and successfully achieved the feat.
Before clinching the title record, Butiu faced a number of challenges along the way – from enduring the pain to resting on the side of the road to finish her run.
On April 6, she started the challenge in Al Ruwais and her ending point is Abu Samra. Her world record covered 190 km from point A to B in just 1 day 6 hours, 23 minutes, and 42 seconds – which is 7 minutes faster than the previous title holder.
Butiu shared video clips of her running journey to claim the title record, which showed how she rested at the side of the road in Qatar in the middle of her run.
After days of waiting, she received great news from GWR, confirming that she was certified to be the fastest female to run Qatar by foot.
“To my second home (Qatar), I wanted to extend my gratitude for the remarkable history that I did, which my family and home country (The Philippines) really made me proud,” said Butui.
The San Andres, Manila native and Doha-based International Fitness Alliance Certified Gym Instructor shared that her recent achievement wouldn’t be possible without the help of her very supportive team who dedicated themselves to be with her in her whole journey.
“To my community, especially to all the women out there, don’t be afraid to do something that we know we can do. Like me, I didn’t stop chasing my dreams to face this kind of extraordinary challenge that we thought only man can do,” she added.
This was her second attempt at breaking the record, and for her, being determined to set one’s goal is a prerequisite to success. Her advice to budding runners is, “Don’t be afraid to experience failure, because in every failure there’s always victory.”
Romil Abule
Filipino expatriate Romil Putong Abule made history by achieving a Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest crossing of Qatar on foot (male).’
In 1 day, 8 hr 59 min in Doha, Qatar, the passionate triathlete, marathoner, and ultramarathoner achieved this historic milestone on 20 October 2022. The record was previously held by Tunisian athlete Sadok Kochbati who finished the run in 1 day, 10 hours, 19 minutes, and 18 seconds on February 4, last year.
Abule started his journey at Al Ruwais at 5.30pm on October 20 and continued to Qatar’s major highways, but had to pause every hour to make a 2-minute documentation with a number of witnesses (more than 30 persons of different nationalities) since there was no Guinness adjudicator.
After a day, Abule shared that he rested for approximately 30 minutes before resuming the run. The 35-year old Pinoy pride also admitted that there were moments he had to slow down due to tiredness and lack of rest.
After submitting all the needed documentation last year, Abule said Guinness replied on April 28 saying that his application had been approved 7 months after he filed it.
According to a post on the GWR website, Abule wanted to achieve this record as a challenge for himself and to be an inspiration to others, especially his family. He left the Philippines in 2012. He had no prior sporting or running experience before coming to Qatar. Homesickness led him to this passion and the next thing he knew, he has been doing it for the past 10 years.
Celebrating his win, Abule expressed his gratitude to Rasen Sports at the Blue Group for the support they have given him to achieve this record.
Butui and Abule were prompted to do running as their way to cope with homesickness. As they continued their runs, they found a new purpose. Today, both of them are world record title holders.
