Ever wondered what it would feel like to truly change your life, one step—or more accurately, 42,000 steps—at a time? Malek Boukerchi might just have the answer, and it involves strapping on your running shoes, embracing collective spirit, and, above all, refusing to let pain call the shots.
Running on Ice (Sometimes Literally): Who Is Malek Boukerchi?
Malek Boukerchi is no stranger to the impossible. He has run thousands of kilometers across the globe, shining where most of us would rather stay indoors: take Antarctica, for example, where he completed a 142.95-kilometer ultra-marathon in two days at minus 40°C. No, this is not a typo. That’s almost three and a half standard marathons in an environment where even your breath might freeze before you say “I’m tired.”
What’s the real secret behind such feats? Mental preparation, Malek reveals. His philosophy is simple yet profound: don’t become a “victim of pain, but a disciple.” He borrows the legendary words of athlete Emil Zatopek: “If you want to run, run a kilometer. If you want to change your life, run a marathon.” For Malek, running is much more than physical stamina. It’s a state of mind, and sometimes, a leap toward a better you (if “leap” means running for hours on end).
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Late Starter, Lifelong Inspiration: Changing Lives at 28 and Beyond
You might imagine Malek has run all his life. Not quite. He started running in earnest at 28. But he quickly discovered that while individual performance mattered, there was something deeply rewarding in collective accomplishment. His greatest challenge? Leading at-risk youth on a journey most would think is not for them: running the Athens marathon.
Enter the “Projet des 42”: forty-two kilometers for forty-two young people facing hardship. Boukerchi’s vision is more than a finish line. It’s about jobs, a foothold back in society, and shared energy. The project welcomes those searching for purpose, school dropouts, people in precarious jobs, and students—a truly eclectic mix. The aim? An osmosis, a melting-pot where everyone can “revive” themselves together.
The Beautiful Struggle: Distances, Discipline, and Dreams
With encouragement that would make any motivational speaker jealous, Malek urges the young runners to “search for the beauty inside yourself, think of the people you love.” Most of these young people were facing the marathon for the first time—let that sink in. Throughout their training, Malek noticed components of hardship hiding off the racecourse: some of his runners didn’t even get enough to eat.
A passionate storyteller and a tireless advocate of sport, he believes deeply that running isn’t just good for your muscles, but for providing order to those whose lives lack structure. According to Malek,
- Sport gives back a sense of structure to youth who may have lost it.
- Marathons are tough, yes—sometimes thankless—but above all, deeply rewarding.
- Tenacity, commitment, and discipline aren’t just for race day; they’re for life.
He watched as his students grew, not just as runners, but as people, applying those lessons on and off the track.
Roots and Ripples: From Mulhouse to Mentoring
Malek never forgets his roots. “I remain extremely proud of the Drouot neighborhood where I grew up,” he says—a tight-knit area marked by territorial segregation. From his childhood in this so-called sensitive part of Mulhouse to his current role as a speaker, Malek’s journey is a testament to what’s possible with a bit of grit and a pair of sneakers.
Ready for Your Own Challenge? Boukerchi’s experience teaches us that it’s never too late to lace up and redefine your limits. Maybe you don’t have to run 43 kilometers in the freezing cold—unless, of course, you left your bus card at the South Pole—but daring to try, to push together, and to find beauty inside ourselves (with or without a medal) might just be the true finish line worth crossing.
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Hi, I’m Brandon from the Decatur Metro team. I guide you through the trends and events reshaping our region.
