Global runner Sonia Haboub finds healing, connection through running

When Sonia Haboub flew more than 14,000 kilometres from Dubai to participate in the Reggae Marathon in Jamaica on Sunday, it was not just another race on her calendar. For the international endurance athlete, professor, and cancer survivor, it was a celebration of life, community, and the power of movement. Haboub, who hails from northern Italy, shared that her journey into long-distance running began in the most unexpected way, starting with her cancer diagnosis.

“In that moment, I needed something that could hold me together, something that could give me strength and a sense of control when everything around me felt uncertain. I began running simply to cope, to breathe, and to find a place where my mind could settle,” she told Lifestyle.

Step by step, running became her therapy. It helped her process fear, rebuild confidence, and reminded her that she could keep moving forward no matter the challenges.

“Running did not just carry me through those moments. It saved me. It gave me clarity, purpose, and a way to reclaim myself, and it continues to shape everything I do today,” Haboub said.

Her dedication to fitness and endurance has taken her across the globe, with races in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. She said every place carries its own rhythm and meaning, from the mountains of Georgia to the desert of the United Arab Emirates, the streets of Copenhagen, the trails of New Zealand, and the vibrant energy of Jamaica. Running has allowed her to connect with cultures and communities in a deeply human way.

“What matters most to me is not only discovering new places but supporting the race itself and the community behind it,” she explained.

Having lived in and visited 106 countries and speaking eight languages, Haboub brings a global perspective to sports, innovation, and digital behaviour. She is a university professor, CEO, and co-founder of Global Race Connect, Nutripathos, and Swara. She also leads the Africa Running Show, a platform connecting athletes, brands, and race organisers across the continent.

Her running routine, however, is not just about performance. Haboub said her training shifted after moving to Dubai, where her first year was challenging. She pushed herself through the heat without listening to her body and ended up with elevated cortisol levels, overtraining, and weight gain.

“It was a difficult moment that forced me to rethink everything. Today my approach is much healthier and much more effective,” she said.

Now, she runs between a half marathon and a full marathon each week, trains for triathlons and trail events, and prioritises strength training. “The real key to longevity is strength training, not endless cardio. Strength keeps the body balanced, protects the joints, stabilises hormones, and allows me to perform at a high level without burning out,” Haboub added.

Running, she said, is central to her lifestyle and identity. “It gives rhythm to my days and keeps me aligned with the person I want to be. It keeps me grounded when my life moves between countries, projects, teaching, and competitions. Running is the one moment where everything becomes quiet and honest. It holds me accountable, it sharpens my discipline, and it brings balance to a life that is often intense and demanding,” she shared.

RECLAIMING LIFE

When asked about her cancer journey, Haboub recalled the moment she received her diagnosis, “It felt as if time stopped. There is a silence that comes with news like that, a silence that enters your body before the words even finish. I was young, ambitious, and building my life, and suddenly everything shifted. The future I had imagined collapsed in a single breath.”

Fitness and running became essential to her recovery. She wasn’t running to achieve anything; she ran to feel alive, release fear, and reconnect with a body she had begun to feel disconnected from.

For Haboub, the Reggae Marathon was not just another race. She was drawn to it because of its community. “Every story I read, every runner I listened to, every image I saw spoke about connection, warmth, and a sense of belonging that felt rare... I wanted to be part of a race where people lift each other, where culture and movement come together, where the joy of running is shared as a collective experience,” she explained.

As for race day, it was a magical experience for her. “From the moment I arrived at the start line, there was an energy I had never experienced anywhere else. The air was warm, the music was alive, and the sense of community was stronger than anything I have ever felt in a race before. People were smiling, welcoming, talking to one another and creating a feeling that you were not just running an event, you were joining a family.”

After nearly 49 hours of travel, she chose to run the 10K. Finishing 15th overall and first in her age group was an incredible moment for her. “It felt like proof that even through exhaustion and long travel, the body and heart can still rise with purpose,” she said.

Deeply moved by the experience, Haboub is already planning her return to Jamaica. “This race touched me in a way I did not expect. It was not only the beauty of Jamaica or the atmosphere of the event. It was the strength of the people, the warmth of the community, and the resilience I felt everywhere around me. I left with a deep sense of connection and a desire to continue supporting this race and the incredible community behind it,” Haboub said.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com