Going the distance: Despite having undergone two bypass surgeries, Syed Moheeb is gearing up for his 70th half marathon in December.
JOHOR BARU: After two heart bypass surgeries, you would think that 72-year-old Syed Moheeb Kamarulzaman is ready to hang up his running shoes.
Instead, he has run in 24 half-marathons.
He trains four to five times a week these days, going for long runs, hill sessions and strength work, while paying attention to recovery as he gears up for a half-marathon at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon in December.
It would be his 70th half-marathon (21.1km) since he began competitive running 44 years ago.
Over the years, the retired chief executive officer, who has a background in finance, has participated in nine full marathons (42.195km). (However, full marathons have been ruled out since his surgeries.)
“I have always been someone who challenges myself, both in sports and the corporate world.
“Quitting is not an option, not even after two major surgeries,” he said in an interview.
Syed Moheeb, who underwent the heart surgeries in 2009 and 2018, recalled how he had to rebuild his stamina, especially after the second bypass operation.
He reset his routine, starting slow with 200m walks around his home compound that grew into steady jogs covering kilometres and later into long training runs.
The grandfather of four said he has no plans to slow down, as he is still chasing his personal mission of completing 100 half marathons before turning 80.
For Syed Moheeb, the thrill of crossing the finish line remains the same as when he first started running in his 30s.
“But the reasons have changed. In the past, it was about beating the clock. Now it’s about listening to my body, pushing when I can and slowing down when I must.
“It is important that I listen to my body to avoid injury,” he said.
His personal bests are one hour, 32 minutes for a half-marathon and three hours, 27 minutes for a full marathon.
These days, he completes half marathons in under three hours – still a remarkable feat for someone of his age and condition.
The discipline reflects lessons from his corporate career: focus on what matters, ignore the noise and build progress step by step.
For him, running is no longer just a sport but a philosophy that keeps him mentally sharp and physically resilient.
“My wife has always been my cheerleader, and now my daughter runs with me. Watching her improve inspires me to keep going,” Syed Moheeb said.
He added that the sport has changed a lot over the decades, with more professional medical support and facilities now available for runners at the many running events organised these days.
Looking ahead, he hopes there will be more events that cater to older runners like him.
“People our age still have a competitive streak in us, so it will be great for us to run against other 60- and 70-year-olds, and not just be lumped into the above-40 category,” he added.
