Why do we run? That’s a question as old as the sport itself! For some, it's a physical challenge. For others, a mental escape.
But for Qudus Atunse, it's both – and so much more.
In this More Than Miles story, Mancunian runner Qudus discusses his perspective on running, his approach to powering through a race and his biggest achievements in the sport, including a recent 100K ultramarathon and the preceding 79-day challenge.
Pushing Beyond the Limits
“My biggest achievement is probably the Run79, so I had to run for 79 days, averaging around 10K a day – I did 12,” Qudus shares.
But what fuels him to take on such an intense physical and mental challenge?
Running is as much about giving back as it is about personal gains for Qudus. His accomplishments in running are not merely about glory at the finish line, there’s a much bigger picture. “Run79 was a charity that my friend set up. We’re raising money for children and families for neonatal care,” he explains. “The running side of it was just our own silly way of trying to get more people to donate to us. Averaging 12k, it wasn’t really too difficult in terms of the mental aspect of things.”
“Another achievement was a 100K, which was actually just three weeks ago,” he adds. While the physical demands of the 100K were undeniable, the mental battle was even more grueling. “The biggest challenge was being in my own head for 11 hours,” Qudus admits. The 65k mark proved to be a particular turning point. “We looked down at our watch at 60k and we still had another marathon to do – and that was hard!”
Yet, Qudus found a way to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Finding His Inner Strength
“I just told myself I’m capable of doing hard things and if I can do this, I can pretty much do anything,” Qudus reflects on finding the strength within.
For him, running is a microcosm of life itself. “I saw the 100kK as a problem. As I was going through 20, 30, 40K, it was like I was solving problems. You know, you’ll get maybe a blister, you’ll get negative thoughts, you just to work through it.”
This problem-solving mentality extends beyond any running route and empowers him to tackle life’s challenges with the same determination. “I feel like having that as an achievement, it can kind of translate to everyday life. I can kind of use that as motivation that I can do hard things and go through tough times.”
The Definition of Resilience
At SUDU, we celebrate those who overcome challenges, and for Qudus, resilience is at the core of his character.
“Resilience means to me just getting up when maybe you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and just taking more steps. The more steps you take, the closer you get to that light,” he explains.
Qudus’s journey is a powerful testament to the incredible ability to endure and overcome challenges we all have. His story inspires us to push past our limits and discover the strength amidst the suffering.
Now, We Want to Hear From You
What motivates you to keep running, even on those days when you just don’t feel like it?
We would love to hear your More Than Miles story, so share it with us on TikTok and Instagram!