In a remarkable feat of endurance and environmental advocacy, Aakash Nambiar, popularly known as Barefoot Mallu, has captured attention as he ran an astounding 104 km barefoot in Dubai to spotlight the urgent need for climate action. Hailing from Bengaluru, Aakash, an Engineer and MBA graduate currently working in the IT marketing sector, has taken his passion for running to new heights by turning it into a powerful platform for climate change awareness.
Aakash’s journey into endurance sports, particularly running and cycling, began in 2014 after an encounter with Milind Soman, a renowned fitness enthusiast. The recent barefoot run in Dubai took him from Love Lake to the iconic Burj Khalifa, covering prominent landmarks like Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Beach, La Mer beach, Etihad museum, and the Museum of the Future.
The choice of Dubai as the location for this extraordinary run holds significance, especially following the conclusion of COP28 in the city. Aakash aims to convey a crucial message through his endeavor, emphasizing that time is running out to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Despite the urgency of the matter, he notes that many people remain unaware of the severity of climate change.
Aakash’s commitment extends beyond mere physical endurance; he advocates for a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. Choosing to run barefoot for the entire distance, except for the final stretches at night, symbolizes his dedication to both personal well-being and environmental consciousness.
In an interview, Aakash remarked, “Anybody can run.” He emphasized the continuous interplay between the body and mind in long-distance barefoot running. “It’s a continuous conflict between body and mind. The mind plays an important role here. Sometimes the body will throw tantrums, but the mind should not give up. It’s all about taking one step at a time, rather than worrying about how much km you’ve got to finish or how much km you have finished so far.”
As Aakash Nambiar’s barefoot run resonates globally through social media, it serves as a poignant reminder that individual actions, no matter how small, can contribute to a larger conversation on climate change and the urgent need for collective responsibility.
