JEDDAH: Mariam Saleh Binladen, a dentist from Saudi Arabia, has set a new record as the first woman to officially swim 101 miles of the source of the River Thames in the United Kingdom.
Swimming to inspire more women to participate in sport and to raise awareness of the plight of refugee Syrian orphans around the world, Mariam is just the third person and first woman in recent history to have successfully completed the 100+ mile open-water swimming feat. Most recently this included the British comedian and Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams, who finished the swim in 2011.
Mariam’s marathon endurance swim began at Folly Bridge near Oxford on June 3 and finished at Teddington Lock in London at 1.05PM on 12th June. The swim was completed over 10 days and navigated 32 locks and some of the South of England’s most iconic towns and villages. Known for its strong currents and eddies as well as high pollution levels, the Thames is one of the most challenging and dangerous open water swims.
Talking about her successful swim Mariam said: “I am thrilled and very proud to be the first woman to swim 101 miles of the Thames. I wanted to show that a young woman from Saudi Arabia can achieve a lifelong ambition, while at the same time raise awareness to bigger causes, particularly the plight of thousands of suffering Syrian orphan refugees. I also want to encourage more women from around the world to participate in sport and show them that anything is possible.
“I have had the most amazing support from my coach Fiona, my support crew and my family in the preparation for this challenge. I would also like to thank all the people that came out and encouraged me along the way over the last 10 days – it was a great boost to be cheered on particularly when I was feeling exhausted after several days in the water. It was this support and my belief that ‘I aim and therefore I am’ which is about beginning with the end in mind — that has got me to the finish line today.”
Mariam trained for nearly two years to build up to the swim with support from her swim coach Fiona Southwell and family members. On Aug. 27, 2015 Mariam swam the Hellespont open water swim in Turkey and was the first Saudi
female to complete the race from Europe to Asia.
Mariam was greeted by members of her family at the finish line in Teddington along with a crowd of well-wishers. A film documentary of the swim will be broadcast later in the year as part of the profile raising program for Mariam’s causes.
Mariam Binladen sets new record as first woman to complete 101 miles River Thames swim
Mariam Binladen sets new record as first woman to complete 101 miles River Thames swim
Riyadh Marathon witnesses world champs, strong community participation
- Health minister says race supports initiative to improve health, quality of life
RIYADH: The Riyadh Marathon 2026 concluded on Saturday after four days of elite competition and community-focused activities, marking a successful fifth edition supported by partners and sponsors.
The marathon festival was held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University from Jan. 28-31, combining world-class athletic competition with a wide-ranging entertainment and cultural experience.
A strong lineup of international elite runners competed in the event, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Among the leading women athletes were Ethiopian world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and fellow Ethiopian Gulume Chala, alongside Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and Nguriatukei Rael Kinyara.
The men’s field featured Moroccan runner Othmane El-Goumri, Bahraini athlete Oluwakemi Adekoya and several world half-marathon champions.
The Riyadh Marathon retained its World Athletics Elite Road Race accreditation for the fifth consecutive year and welcomed runners from 125 countries, as well as local clubs and participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel took part in the marathon and shared a message on his official X account,@FahadAlJalajel, saying he was pleased to take part in the event, which reflected the concept of “Sport for All” and supported the Live Healthy national initiative to improve health and quality of life.
He thanked Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed bin Talal for backing the initiative and stressed that encouraging movement as a daily lifestyle was essential to improving public health and quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the marathon was delivered in strategic partnership with several government entities, including Vision 2030, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the Saudi Athletics Federation, the National Events Center and the Riyadh Municipality, reflecting strong institutional coordination.
The 5 km and 10 km races were held within the university campus, while the 21 km half-marathon and 42 km full-marathon routes extended beyond the campus through major roads in northern Riyadh, with all races finishing inside the university.
In addition to the races, the festival featured a diverse program of live music, performances, cultural and heritage activities, and interactive experiences for all age groups, hosted in the race village and assembly areas.
The event concluded on Saturday with competitions across four main categories: the full marathon 42 km, half marathon 21 km, 10 km race, and the 5 km race dedicated to families and beginners, reinforcing the Riyadh Marathon’s position as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading community sporting events.
