How Lulwa Al-Marri turned Ironman into a movement for Arab women

Completing a full Ironman remains one of the greatest ambitions for elite athletes. The famed series of long-distance endurance races requires athletes to complete a 3.6km swim, a 182.5km bike ride, and a 42km full marathon — all in a single day. Now imagine an Arab woman going toe-to-toe with the world’s best in an event as gruelling as the Ironman. Lulwa Al-Marri did that — and more. Al-Marri not only became the first Qatari female athlete to complete a full Ironman, but she also emerged as a powerful source of inspiration for Arab women who aspire to leave their mark on the global sporting stage. On August 29 this year, Al-Marri will celebrate the fifth anniversary of her Ironman...