The accounts junior at Edinburgh-based firm MHA is gearing up for his seventh 26.2-mile race in just three years. 

With less than a week to go until he hits the starting line of London Marathon (April 27), Ali has been running an average of 75 miles a week, working at MHA and studying for ICAS exams.

The 22-year-old’s marathon efforts began in Edinburgh in 2022 and then in 2023 and, with Boston, Amsterdam and Berlin also ticked off his list, London is next up – the second time he will have completed the race.

His current marathon personal best is an impressive 2:40:20 and he is hoping to beat this with a time of around 2:33.

Ali has the support of his colleagues at MHA, based in St Colme Street, which also launched its own office run club at the start of the year.

Originally from Ayr, Ali attended Doonfoot Primary School and Belmont Academy before moving to Edinburgh for university in 2020, achieving an MA Hons in Accounting & Finance at Heriot-Watt University. He was a member of Ayr Seaforth Athletic Club, Heriot-Watt University Running Club and now has a running coach who is based in London. 

So, how does Ali juggle work, study and training?

“It’s a lot to deal with at the same time… this current stage of ICAS involves two courses in seven weeks each with an assessment, so well-structured planning between my study, work and training has been key.

“At MHA, we do 10am to 2pm core hours so there’s flexibility in working around that. It’s allowed me to balance my running and working life. I can attend track late afternoons and do double run days, which has been key. It really takes the time stresses out of the intense training that goes along with marathons.

“So much about marathon training and running is discipline and mindset. Of course, there are days when you don’t necessarily feel like doing a long run, but it’s all for the end goal.

“I’m someone who doesn’t want to start something and then not finish it. Working through a task when you are struggling is what makes the difference in achieving success. After each one, you become more and more disciplined because you know what you can be capable of. That goes for work, study and running.”

MHA Edinburgh started its own run club in January.

Ali added: “On Mondays after work, we do a 5k at conversational pace, so it’s good for beginners. We do a loop and head back to the office so we’re seeing lots of lovely routes in the city. It’s a great way to wind down after a day at work and has been brilliant for getting to know colleagues better.”

In May, Ali and colleague Angus Rigby will take part in Edinburgh Marathon Festival, running the 10k and 5k, respectively.

Angus, an audit executive, hopes to complete the race in around 27 minutes and has plans to complete a solo Hyrox event by the end of the year.