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Record-breaker El Amin Chentouf relives golden era
Morocco’s two-time Paralympic marathon champion reflects on his glittering career so far 07 Mar 2024
A warm September morning in 2021 and the rain was falling steadily on the streets of Tokyo. Every few yards there were signs requesting that spectators keep their distance and keep walking, the consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Out on the marathon course, defending Paralympic T12 champion El Amin Chentouf was passing landmarks such as the Kaminarimon Thunder Gate in Asakusa, the Imperial Palace, Ginza's upmarket Chuo Street and the Zojoji temple.
His mind was not on the tourist trail, however, but on the weather.
“As for the conditions of the race, it was raining and I suffered a lot, especially since I have always suffered from a visual impairment”, said Chentouf.
“I had to wipe off my glasses so that I wouldn't go off the marathon course, especially since I took the initiative at approximately 10km, so this was a big adventure.”
The multi-medalled Moroccan took more than the initiative. He took the race by the scruff of the neck thanks to his immaculate planning and smashed his own Paralympic record by more than three minutes to finish in 2:21:43.
Winning streak
It was his third Paralympic gold overall, adding to his London 2012 5,000m (he also broke the world record) and Rio 2016 marathon successes.
While Tokyo remains special because of the constraints, Chentouf cites the first gold medal as the life-changer for several reasons.
“My first medal in the London Games 2012 I dedicated to His Majesty King Mohammed VI because he always encourages athletes. I congratulated him for the honour, and it was encouragement for me to make double efforts to raise my country’s flag in various international forums.
“As for the rest of the medals and awards found on the shelves of my home, they remain a witness to my distinguished path until now.”
The path shows no signs of ending soon with Chentouf currently splitting his time between the heights of Ifrane and the coastal town of Sale in Morocco for his training. He admits that being a two-time marathon champion puts him under extra pressure.
“But because I have gained great experience in such competitions, I try to live with these pressures to transform them into positive energy. There is always pressure especially since I am used to climbing that podium.”
Life-changing success
It was while he was standing on top of the podium at London 2012 that he came to realise what he could achieve. He has constantly improved his times since he started running in 1997.
“My first Paralympic medal changed my life a lot. It made me more disciplined and focused on my exercises in a professional way in order to maintain my fitness. You are also the focus of attention from media outlets.
“I favour London, not only because I won and achieved the world record, but also because of the atmosphere due to the huge amount of fans watching the competition from inside the Olympic Stadium and the way of encouragement that made me more excited, moments that will be unforgettable in my memory.”
Chentouf again showed his class by winning the Boston Marathon in April 2023.
“Yes, I am now over 40 years old, but I do not always link age and sports practice. As long as there is a return, age is just a number. There are many examples of runners over 40 years old who are able to give.
Inspired by greatness
Chentouf’s achievements have taken him to city marathons where he has had the opportunity to meet his hero, two-time Olympic marathon champion and world number one Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya. After winning his gold in Tokyo, Chentouf called himself the Eliud Kipchoge of Para athletics.
“Kipchoge is an example to emulate, given what he has done in his sporting career, whether in the track or the marathon. I met him twice in London 2019 on the sidelines of the marathon, and also in Boston 2023, where he congratulated me on winning. Kipchoge is a very nice person. I felt excited when talking to him.”
Morocco is a country with a deep and impressive relationship with distance running and it was that which persuaded Chentouf to take up the sport.
“As time passed, as I practiced running, I always had a dream that one day I would become a professional runner. I was always excited because I was lucky to live in a country full of stars in the sport of running,” Chentouf says, pointing to those who have paved the way.
“In that era in which I started practicing running, Hisham El Guerrouj (Athens 2004 Olympic gold medallist in 1500m and 5000m), 5000m world champion Salah Hissou, Jaouad Gharib (two-time marathon world champion) and many others were competing at a high level.”
A record for the ages
There is another landmark which deserves congratulations for Chentouf. He is currently in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest Para ambulant marathon runner of all time after completing the 2019 London Marathon in 2:21:23.
“It is a great honour to enter the Guinness Book of World Records, and I am very happy for the achievements I have achieved so far in my sports career, and I am still thirsty for more.”
Chentouf, who is accompanied by his wife Ghita Guennani on his travels, knocked ten seconds off his own marathon world record and no-one has challenged it since.
The final word belongs to the runner.
“In the end, I extend my thanks and gratitude to my family, especially my wife, who accompanies me in my training and all the training and her great sacrifice with me, as well as my children and all the officials in the Moroccan Federation for their support and encouragement.”
