Germany-based endurance runner raises funds for cancer patients in Sulaimani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish athlete Bahjat Hassan has completed a 50-hour non-stop run in Sulaimani after returning from Germany, raising funds for cancer patients in an endurance challenge.

Hassan, who holds multiple ultra-running records in Germany, said the effort was dedicated entirely to helping patients at Hiwa Hospital, the only specialized cancer treatment facility in Sulaimani province.

“I hold three German records. The first was running from Germany to Italy, 1,200 kilometers in 10 days, which was a record. My second achievement was 420 kilometers in 46 hours. My third was 500 kilometers in 61 hours; I broke the German record. [Currently], I am running for 50 hours without sleep and without stopping," Hassan said during the run.

"I only stop to use the restroom. I eat bananas, dates, walnuts, and almonds. My diet is a bit different; it doesn’t include [heavy] meals, only the specific items I’ve set that are suitable for my body,” he added.

Throughout the challenge, Hassan was joined intermittently by fellow runners and supporters who accompanied him for hours to offer encouragement. Among them was athlete Jegr Hamaamin, who praised Hassan’s determination.

“I have a 120-kilometer record from 2022. In November 2025, I participated in an international marathon in Istanbul, Turkey. I managed to finish it in just over three hours. But my accomplishments aside, this man [Hassan] is the champion of champions in both Kurdistan and the world,” Amin said.

After 25 hours, Hassan continued running strongly as spectators gathered and donations steadily filled the collection boxes set up close to his treadmill in Sulaimani's Family Mall shopping center. Many supporters said they were motivated by his cause and persistence.

“I was following his livestreams closely [on social media]. I saw him running continuously. This young man's entire goal was to support Hiwa Hospital. They [cancer patients] need us, and our wealth will not decrease by any amount we donate. In fact, it is a charitable act for them; they use it to buy pills and medicine,” said Sivan Yaseen, a resident who came to donate.

Hassan completed the full 50-hour run, with supporters calling it a historic fundraising effort for cancer patients in the province.

“I saw the finish, and I was very, very happy. I hope I can perform more feats like this in Kurdistan for other hospitals and other cities,” Hassan said after completing the run.

Following this achievement, Hassan said his long-term dream is to one day run across the four parts of Greater Kurdistan.

Kurds believe that Greater Kurdistan is divided into four parts, which include Kurdistan Region in Iraq (Bashur), western Iran (Rojhelat), southeast Turkey (Bakur) and northeast Syria (Rojava).

Hiwa Hospital plays a critical role in cancer care in the Kurdistan Region. Located in Sulaimani province, it is the only facility there offering specialized cancer treatment, serving patients from across Iraq as well as Kurdish regions in Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

The fundraiser comes amid growing concern over rising cancer rates. Iraq’s Cancer Board reported 43,063 registered cancer cases nationwide in February 2025, including 1,922 children under the age of 14. Childhood cancer, particularly leukemia, has become an increasing concern, with an incidence rate of 11 per 100,000 children.

The Kurdistan Region’s health ministry reported in November that cancer rates have doubled over the past decade, with Sulaimani accounting for 33 percent of cases of the previous year.

While Iraq is expanding cancer treatment capacity - including plans to open new pharmaceutical factories specializing in cancer medication and the recent opening of a cancer hospital in Duhok - Hiwa Hospital remains a lifeline for thousands of patients.

Nizar Jaza contributed to this article from Sulaimani.