SIS works with many wonderful Community Interpreters and would like to highlight the impressive accomplishment of one of them, Mazhar, who recently completed the Brighton Marathon!
Mazhar, who is 72, had never run a marathon before but the secret, he tells us, is good sleep, good food and healthy boundaries.
A long-serving SIS Community Interpreter, Mazhar came to the UK from Iraq in 1980. Fitness, and particularly football, have always been an important part of his life, from an early career working as a PE teacher and during his time in the UK as a civil engineer.
Mazhar credits his fitness to giving up smoking in 1989 – something which he feels passionately is possible for everyone to achieve. He also mentions the importance of mental positivity which helped him bounce back from a car accident in 2021. His doctors recommended swimming and walking but Mazhar tells us that he listened to his body and began running and practicing football skills instead.
Now a keen runner, regularly setting off on a 90 minute route from his home in London, Mazhar is really grateful to the Brighton Table Tennis Club who gave him the opportunity to run the Brighton Marathon this year.
“It was a fantastic day and one of the best days of my life. It was beautiful to run through Brighton streets and the crowd was so supportive and cheerful which made the
day extra special. It took me 7 hours and 39 minutes but many runners were behind me and, although I’m asthmatic, I was never short of breath.
Thank you to all at SIS over the years for being kind and supportive, to give me a chance covering interpreting sessions which gives me so much a sense of satisfaction and contentment, to be able to help my community.”
We’d like to thank Mazhar for sharing his story with us, we’re very proud of him and welcome Mazhar as an honorary Brightonian!
Mazhar considers himself lucky to be so active and we consider ourselves lucky to have Mazhar as part of the SIS family.
As told to SIS staff member Katherine Day
