Hebah Hefzy, a neurologist and mother of three, became the first hijab-wearing athlete to complete the Western States Endurance Run, the oldest 100-mile ultramarathon in the world with a route from Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe to the suburbs of Sacramento.
Photographed for KQED
Hebah Hefzy runs up to the final aid station in tears during the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) in Auburn, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Hefzy is the first hijab-wearing Muslim athlete to complete the WSER, with a time of 28 hours and 52 seconds.
Hebah Hefzy, left, walks off the track with crew member Zahraa Boussi, right, at Placer High School after finishing the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) in Auburn, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Hebah Hefzy rests before the award ceremony for the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) at Placer High School in Auburn, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Hebah Hefzy smiles before the award ceremony for the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) at Placer High School in Auburn, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
Hebah Hefzy’s bag of dirty clothes is seen at Placer High School after she completed the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) in Auburn, Calif., on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
