This Egyptian Athlete Just Put The Nike Pro Hijab In The Global Spotlight

Manal Rostom is our new hero

It takes a lot to stand out from 50,000 runners but Egyptian athlete and Nike Running and Training Coach Manal Rostom managed to do just that at the annual New York City Marathon this weekend by debuting, for the first time in an international race, the Nike Pro Hijab. 

Race night essentials. والله المستعان #tcsnycmarathon #rememberingJB #teamNike #applewatchseries3 #newyork #nikeproHijab #manalrunsnyc4refugees

A post shared by Manal A Rostom (@manirostom) on Nov 4, 2017 at 6:46pm PDT

Running to beat her personal best time, the Dubai-based trainer spent time with Nike’s athlete and one of the world’s most celebrated marathon runners Eliud Kipchoge ahead of the race and even embarked on a 5km run with him to get her into shape for the big event. 

Supporting the Big Heart Foundation, a UAE-based charity that helps refugees and people in need around the world, Manal finished the race in 4 hours and 42 minutes and wrote on her Instagram account that she hopes to “inspire and pave the way” for a younger generation of Muslim women to feel confident in wearing the hijab. 

Off to South Ferry to catch a Ferry to Staten Island. Good vibes all around الحمداالله . Heart and Soul in check. If I’m really lucky this morning my injuries will remember they can get Alzheimer’s on race day! Because they do that sometimes. اللهم لا سهلا الا ما جعلته سهلا اللهم ان شئت جعلت الحزن #يارب!!! يلا بينا يا مصر #tcsnycmarathon #newyork #GoEgypt #teamNike #38LookingFly

A post shared by Manal A Rostom (@manirostom) on Nov 5, 2017 at 4:49am PST

Adding even more girl power to this year’s marathon, 2017’s race also saw the first American woman, Shalane Flanagan, to win the number one spot in over 40 years, just beating three-time champion Mary Keitany of Kenya to the finish line. 

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