Dubai: Aakash Nambiar, an Indian expat and ultra-marathoner based in Dubai, ran 115 km barefoot from the scenic Hatta to Mushrif Park in Dubai to raise awareness for ocean conservation among community members.

Popularly known as ‘Barefoot Mallu’, this 36-year-old Keralite has been actively supporting the climate cause through similar initiatives, always without wearing any shoes. “The UAE has made significant strides in ocean conservation, from preserving coral reefs to expanding mangrove coverage. Now, the responsibility falls on us to do our part by keeping our oceans clean,” Nambiar said.

For this initiative, he partnered with Azraq, a Dubai-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to marine conservation.

“Through this collaboration, I aim to ‘educate, motivate, and activate’ communities to restore coral reefs, reduce marine debris, and foster healthier oceans,” Nambiar underlined.

17-hour effort

In the past, Nambiar led similar campaigns. In 2023, he ran 104km across key landmarks in Dubai to promote the message of COP28. In 2020, he ran from Abu Dhabi to Dubai to encourage a healthy lifestyle during the pandemic. He was also part of marathons in Sri Lanka, Spain, Portugal, and India, including Kashmir, to promote tourism there. His barefoot runs have garnered attention, with Nambiar noting that the practice strengthens his feet and improves posture.