Moroccan Runner Takes Second in Spanish 10K While Fasting for Ramadan

Abderrahmane Aferdi has been living in Fuensalida in the province of Toledo for years. Despite the Ramadan fast, he did not miss participating in this race and achieving extraordinary performances. The Moroccan finished second in the Spanish 10-kilometer road championship, three seconds behind Jesús Ramos, the winner, reports ABC.

A member of the Atletismo Novés club, "Abde" is not yet a professional athlete. He works eight hours a day in a factory. But he agreed to participate in the race, the start of which was given at 7 p.m., the normal time for breaking the fast, without drinking a drop of water, under a temperature that exceeded 20 degrees in Huelva. Despite these difficult conditions, the 27-year-old Moroccan pulverized his own record with a time of 28:19, ten seconds less than the one he achieved in Laredo (Cantabria) a month ago on a much more favorable circuit.

"The merit is double. It is surprising that he is able to spend so much time without eating or drinking water. Hydration is very important in a race close to the sea, with a lot of humidity. He can be considered the moral winner of the event," said Antonio Núñez, his coach. On Saturday morning, Abde had trained for 15 to 20 minutes and after the race, he had to wait a few more hours before eating, as he had to undergo the anti-doping control.

The Moroccan’s next goal is the Spanish half-marathon championship to be held in Santander on Sunday, May 14. His coach assures that he will perform well with a time of 1h:01. But like the 10km championship in Huelva, he will certainly not receive a title, even if he wins this tournament, because he does not have Spanish nationality.