The Rise of a Marathon Running Phenom: Haziq Hamzah’s Journey to the Top
In early 2021, Muhamad Haziq Hamzah, better known as Haziq Hamzah, took up running as a serious hobby. Little did he know that his passion for marathon running would propel him to become one of the country’s top marathoners in just a year.
From Humble Beginnings to Rapid Progression
Haziq’s journey began with a simple goal: to run every day, with no off days. This consistency, he says, turned him into one of the top marathoners in the country within a year. "I started by setting myself the target of running a minimum of one mile, or 1.6 kilometres (km), a day. Regardless of whether I was unwell or injured, I made sure I covered that distance. I forced myself to stay consistent and I am now reaping the fruits of my labour," he told Bernama.
A Full-Time Career in Marathon Running
Realising that his obsession with running was the real deal, Haziq made the decision to quit his stable job in March last year to pursue a full-time career as a marathon runner. He is now fully dependent on a network of sponsors, in addition to generating income as a running coach.
The Rise of a Phenomenon in the Running World
Haziq’s success has made him a phenomenon in the running world, attracting the attention of about 20 sponsors, including the leading international sporting goods company, Asics. "A year after becoming a content creator and coach, I feel like I’m doing all right. Many of my friends also help me out, especially when it comes to securing sponsorship deals," he said.
Securing a Steady Income
While Haziq admits that he doesn’t have a steady monthly income, he says that he sometimes has more and sometimes less than when he had a job. However, he also gets financial rewards when he wins running events. "I always set myself a target of having sufficient funds to meet my commitments and fend for myself," he said.
A New Personal Best and a Glimmer of Hope for the SEA Games
Haziq’s hard work and tireless training finally paid off when he clocked three hours flat in the 42-km marathon. He has since achieved a personal best of two hours, 29 minutes and 32 seconds at the Tokyo Marathon in Japan earlier last month. This has placed him as one of the country’s two best marathoners, just behind national record holder Tan Huong Leong.
Aiming for the 2025 SEA Games
Haziq hopes that his achievement in the Land of the Rising Sun will pave the way for him to be included in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand in December. "I will continue to work on improving my timing so that I will not only get to compete but also win a medal at the (Dec 9-20) Thailand SEA Games," he said.
Conclusion
Haziq Hamzah’s journey to the top is a testament to the power of dedication and hard work. From a humble beginning to a full-time career in marathon running, Haziq’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved with perseverance and passion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Haziq Hamzah get into marathon running?
A: Haziq Hamzah took up running as a serious hobby in early 2021.
Q: How did he progress so quickly?
A: By setting himself a target of running a minimum of one mile, or 1.6 kilometres (km), a day, Haziq forced himself to stay consistent and reaped the fruits of his labour.
Q: How does he secure a steady income?
A: Haziq generates income as a running coach and receives financial rewards when he wins running events.
Q: What are his plans for the 2025 SEA Games?
A: Haziq hopes to be included in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand in December and plans to work on improving his timing to win a medal.