Ahmed Abdillahi, a 45-year-old Somali native and Rotterdam mailman, is running 25 marathons in 2025 to raise awareness about poverty in Rotterdam. He completed his tenth marathon on a Sunday morning, running from Rotterdam-Zuid to Hoek van Holland. Abdillahi hopes to attract the attention of influential people who can make a difference.

Abdillahi, who fled Somalia in 1992 due to the civil war, has a deep understanding of Rotterdam, witnessing the widening gap between rich and poor. He gained recognition in 2021 for opposing the demolition of his neighborhood, Tweebosbuurt, highlighting the destruction of a community. He aims to draw attention to those who are often forgotten.

An intellectual figure known for his insightful analyses and references to great thinkers, Abdillahi frequents the Rotterdam debate center Arminius. He has contributed to Vers Beton and is featured in Arjen van Veelen’s book, “Rotterdam: an ode to inefficiency.”

Despite facing personal struggles, including addiction and homelessness, Abdillahi turned his life around through cycling, running, and reading. His current job as a mailman has brought structure and rhythm into his everyday life. He is deeply concerned about the rising fixed costs and the disappearance of social housing in Rotterdam, which he believes is pushing the underclass out of the city.

During his marathon, Abdillahi faced strong headwinds and moments of doubt. However, he was motivated by the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” playing at a festival, which resonated with his commitment to his cause.

Abdillahi questions the accuracy of poverty figures, citing political scientist Tim ‘S Jongers’ observation that temporary measures distort the statistics. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the daily struggles of those living in poverty, such as people sleeping under bridges and searching for deposit money in garbage cans.

Abdillahi wonders whether there is still room for poor people in Rotterdam. He highlights the words of urban geographer Cody Hochstenbach and the fact that he has been evicted from social housing five times due to demolition to prove his point.

After three hours and forty-five minutes, Abdillahi completed his tenth marathon, reaching the beach of Hoek van Holland. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to running the remaining fifteen marathons to achieve his goal of raising awareness about poverty.