Top News

Having grown up in a large family with six siblings, Ashwaq Alsaieri never imagined that she would one day make history for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

Last year, Alsaieri became the first woman from Saudi Arabia and the GCC to complete all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, Sydney and New York.

An incredible achievement for an athlete whose family initially failed to understand her passion for running.

“They struggled to understand why anyone would choose to run without being chased,” Alsaieri told Khaleej Times.

But the Alsaieri family eventually fell in love with her sport, cheering her on as she travelled across the world to compete in lung-busting marathons.

“My family’s support has been my constant fuel,” she said. “Their belief in me has never wavered, and it’s a huge part of what keeps me moving.”

Alsaieri trained rigorously under her coach in Saudi Arabia before taking on the iconic marathons worldwide.

And when she finally crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon last November — the seventh and final major — Alsaieri's aching body could not stop her from breaking into a smile.

“Completing all seven World Marathon Majors felt bigger than a medal,” she said. “Becoming the first Saudi and GCC woman to achieve it wasn’t about being ‘the first’ for the sake of it, but about proving what’s possible for women from our region.

“It felt like carrying a piece of home with me to every race — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Sydney,” Alsaieri said. “It was a statement: we are here, and we belong on every starting line in the world.”

Alsaieri hopes her journey will inspire women across Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.

“As a woman from Saudi and the Arab region, every stride I take is more than a personal achievement — it’s part of a collective shift,” she said. “Through sport, we’re rewriting the narrative and proving that Arab women not only belong, but lead.”

Remarkably, Alsaieri is now in a rare group of female Saudi athletes making a mark on the global stage.  

“It feels like I’m witnessing — and contributing to — one of the most beautiful transformations in Saudi history,” Alsaieri said.

“When I see Reema Juffali on the racing grid, Yara Alhogbani competing internationally in tennis, or our women’s national football team stepping out with pride, it fills me with awe and responsibility. These aren’t just sporting milestones; they’re emotional markers of how far we’ve come in such a short time.”

Alsaieri's success has already earned her a contract with New Balance.

“To be part of this chapter, not just as an athlete but as someone collaborating with a global brand, means a lot to me,” she said. “It feels like I’m living history, in running shoes. It’s powerful to work with people who believe that women in our region deserve visibility and support to perform at their best.”

With seven major global marathons under her belt, Alsaieri will leave no stone unturned in her attempt to achieve the next big goal.

“The Olympics will always be the dream — and who knows, maybe one day,” she said. “I want to keep pushing my limits, whether that’s new races, tougher distances, or stepping into roles where I can mentor and uplift other runners in the region.

“Of course, the Olympics will always be a dream, but making an impact and inspiring women in our region is even more important.”

From Sharjah to Spain: Indian youngster chases La Liga dream Pakistani who beat Federer hopes to start a tennis revolution in his country