Past the Halfway Point in the Holy City
By: Yamin Ismail | Date: 19/07/2025 | Milestone: 51% Complete | Statistics: 4,030 miles | 29,057,746 steps | 591,656 calories | 1,004 days
❤️ I'm thrilled to share that I've reached 51% of my Earth's Diameter Challenge – walking the full 7,926 miles around our planet!
To cross the halfway point of my challenge in Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, is a blessing beyond measure. Every Muslim dreams of walking in the town of the Kaaba, and combining this spiritual journey with my physical walking challenge creates layers of meaning that touch both body and soul.
I also walked through the streets of Makkah, observing the mix of ancient sacred sites and modern development. The city bustles with pilgrims year-round, creating an atmosphere of constant motion and devotion. Walking here is walking among believers from every corner of the earth, all united in faith and purpose.
Reaching 51% – passing the halfway point – feels momentous. I've now walked more than 4,000 miles over 1,004 days. That's nearly three years of consistent movement, day after day, step after step. To cross this threshold in Makkah seems perfectly aligned with the spiritual nature of this physical challenge.
In Islam, patience (sabr) and perseverance are highly valued qualities. The commitment required to walk consistently for nearly three years embodies these values. Like the pilgrimage itself, the challenge requires sustained effort, trust in Allah's guidance, and gratitude for the physical ability to move.
The weather in Makkah in July is intensely hot, but like millions of pilgrims before me, I adjusted my walking to early morning hours when temperatures were more moderate. The city's infrastructure is designed to accommodate vast numbers of pilgrims, with wide walkways, climate-controlled areas, and carefully planned pedestrian routes.
The primary walking in Makkah is, of course, the Tawaf – circumambulating the Kaaba seven times. The Mataf area around the Kaaba features smooth marble flooring and is designed for the continuous movement of thousands of pilgrims. Each circuit is approximately 430 meters, and the experience of walking in these circles, directed toward the House of Allah, is unlike any other walking experience in the world.
Beyond the Tawaf, there is the Sa'i – walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, commemorating Hajar's search for water for her infant son Ismail. This route, now enclosed within the Grand Mosque complex, stretches about 450 meters and features a smooth, level path suitable for all pilgrims.
The environment of Makkah – the sacred mosque, the surrounding mountains, the historic significance of every location – transforms ordinary walking into acts of worship. Each step is taken with awareness of where one is and what this place means to billions of Muslims throughout history.
As I walked, I reflected on the second half of my challenge still ahead. Past the halfway point, the finish line becomes imaginable while still distant. The journey continues, requiring the same daily commitment, the same gratitude, the same determination to complete what I began.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness..." This challenge is my way of taking advantage of health while I have it, of moving while I can, of being grateful for every blessing Allah has granted.
Every step brings me closer to this incredible goal – and reminds me why I love inspiring others to get active outdoors.
Let's keep moving! Insha'Allah, the finish line awaits at 7,926 miles.
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