Influencer Sessions: Get to Know @hamad_4li

We caught up with London Marathon runner and content creator, @hamad_4li, to talk challenges, content, and community. Read on to discover more about how this coding influencer-turned-running-enthusiast is encouraging everyone else to do the same!

Where does your love for running come from and when did you make the decision to transition from coding into running content?

I started running in 2019. I left sixth form and found that I was becoming stagnant when it came to fitness, especially with my weight increase. So I started running 2 to 3 times a week to lose weight, but I’d only run 5km at the most. I was never quick, it was just to get out there, and, slowly, I started to really enjoy it. 

My goal was to one day run a marathon to prove to myself I can run the distance. In 2023, life happened and I stopped running for around 4 months – May to October –  which had a huge impact on my mental health. I didn’t realise the impact until it was too late, battled suicidal thoughts and a lot of things got on top of me. Then I decided “no Hamad you need to get back out there”, put on my shoes and went for a run. I don’t know what it was but it felt a relief and the distance started getting longer. I felt at home when I was running and before I knew it, it became my coping mechanism. I ran a half marathon without training, which took me almost 3 hours. 

I signed up for my first race, the Greater Manchester half marathon and never looked back. The running community, people I met through it, it changed a lot for me. They started cheering and celebrating my success and I found a home. My content journey for running came when I posted my ‘I don’t code 24/7’. All my posts used to be about my work, which led to people thinking all I did was write code 24/7, so I wanted to show that I do other things away from coding. Which then led me to creating more content around running due to the positive messages I got, especially as running isn’t common within south Asians/ Kashmiri heritage communities. 

@hamad_4li

London marathon 2025 💪 My first marathon, and what a race. As I write this, I’m still not sure how to put it into words. Two days before my injury got worse and I was debating if to defer my spot to next year. Luckily I managed to see a physio which gave me a chance to get to the start line, the rest, this video sums it up – although watching this video, I don’t think you would know I was in a lot of pain 😂  London marathon was more then just running, I met some incredible people, from the start to the finish line. Some I hadn’t even met before, others I don’t even know the names and probs will never see again. Random people cheering you name on, giving sweets, and even ice pops 😄 The atmosphere was electric, and I soo want to be back on the start line in 2026 One thing is for sure. I am so glad I didn’t defer my spot because I would have regretted it big time. Where else do you get this crowd!! For those of you who ran London, well done, it was a hot day and not the easiest of races but you all smashed it 👏 #LondonMarathon2025 #FirstMarathon #MarathonJourney #RunningCommunity #InjuryRecovery #MarathonMotivation #RaceDayVibes #ProudRunner #MarathonMemories #RunningThroughPain #FinishLineFeels #UKRunning #MarathonMindset #RunnerLife #LondonVibes @TCS London Marathon @Muslim Runners @Strava @Runna @ASICS

♬ original sound – Hamad

How has the increased use of social media by sports brands impacted the brand deals and partnerships you receive?

I have created content to inspire others, when I started it was more coding which was to inspire more people to get into tech and I offered free mentorship etc. And now with my content switching to running I enjoy sharing my journey especially as I’m not a natural runner or a fast runner, if someone can watch my content and take up running or give it a go, it makes me smile and so far a few have and it means so much. This has led me to not focus more on the brand deals or sponsorships. I haven’t had a lot of brand sponsorships but hopefully going forward that will change and it allows me to build the communities I want to.

Which platforms do you predominantly use? Which do you prefer for posting, and which for community building? 

I post on all platforms; Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn but Instagram and TikTok are my go to – my social handle is @hamad_4li.

How does community engagement vary on your chosen platforms?

Recently I’ve seen a drop in reach and engagement over the past few months. Especially on Instagram. However, I continue to post and some posts will do really well and others will be stuck. So it’s a bit difficult to manage.

What is your favourite type of content to create, and which works best for your audience? Is there a juxtaposition? 

I enjoy race content – for example the London marathon runner content I posted recently. It shows the best of running. Especially as at the world’s major marathons you have complete strangers cheering you on, you’re having the time of your life, all the training has paid off, and it’s a victory lap. It’s just pure emotions which I love and I feel like if anything that inspires others to be like “oh I’d like to give that a go and see what it feels like”.

Do you have experience working with brands? How do you decide which brands you would like to work with?

I have worked with the likes of Apple, Logitech, Nanoleaf, and many others. For me, I look at which brands align with my vision and are willing to work with me on the mission of promoting diversity and inclusion when it comes to running. I’ve been running different races and they’re rarely diverse, apart from the London marathon, where it was so good to see the amount of Muslims running. 

How do you balance your online and offline lives?

This is something I struggle with, especially as I work a full-time job too. I call myself a workaholic and struggle to shut off. However I enjoy creating content, so for me I don’t mind it too much.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I’ve been posting content for over 4 years, but it’s been focused on tech, coding, and my life as a software engineer. I’m now in a transitional period, moving away from that and focusing more on creating content around running and lifestyle. 

Over the next 5 years I’d like to build a bigger presence within the running community, have some of the projects I’m working on to promote diversity be shown, and get more people into running – especially in my home town – and hopefully have some brands who’d like to work with me on this mission. 

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