Dubai: He may have no chance of winning but for Japanese 'eco-marathoner' Hajime Nishi, next week's Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will see yet another remarkable landmark for one of athletics' most unusual competitors.
Described by the Wall Street Journal as "the word's most accomplished runner", Nishi strolled into the Guinness Book of Records after becoming the first person to run seven marathons on each of seven continents in seven months in 1997.
On January 12, the 47 year-old from Kyoto - pioneer of the 'ecomarathon' - will join over 600 other athletes for the 26 mile, 385 yard race from the Dubai World Trade Centre to the Burj Al Arab and back to the Emirates Towers.
But while he'll be one of the slowest men in the field that won't concern the inscrutable Nishi as he competes in his 500th marathon, half-way to a goal of running 1,000 international marathons in 250 countries.
"Ecomarathon is not just a marathon or running event, it's an environmentally responsible life style for all species on earth and for its future generations," said Nishi, who will spend the entire race running, walking, taking pictures, making videos, talking to animals and cheering on the other competitors.
It may not be the most orthodox way of competing, but such is the way of the eco-marathoner.
"I enjoy the wholeness of the marathon instead of its competitiveness," he added.
"You have to deal with yourself by overcoming your ego which misleads you to compete against others. Some people call it an accomplishment to establish a personal record by passing other runners."
