Kannur-native Nikesh Kottur Padikkal set two Guinness World Records to fulfill his wife Samreen’s birthday wish. He crossed all seven emirates of the UAE on foot in just over 5 days and ran 10 km barefoot carrying 10 kg in 47 minutes. A former bodybuilder turned endurance runner, Nikesh overcame injuries and setbacks with sheer determination. Supported by his wife, his journey is a testament to love, resilience, and chasing dreams against all odds.
Dubai,TNM: What do you gift a woman who has crossed boundaries of language, religion, and region for love? For Kannur-native Nikesh Kottur Padikkal—fondly known as Nikki—the answer was clear: a Guinness World Record. Not just one, but two, within a span of three months.
Nikesh, now a certified double Guinness World Record holder, dedicated his first record to his wife, Samreen Abdul Shaikh, a Mumbai-born fitness enthusiast he met at a gym where he worked as a trainer. Their love, which blossomed despite religious and linguistic barriers, culminated in marriage in 2019. But it was Samreen’s unique birthday request in 2024 that took their story to the global stage.
On November 23, 2024, Nikesh officially set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to cross all seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates on foot, completing the 625 km journey in just 5 days, 15 hours, and 53 minutes.
His second record followed on January 12, 2025, when he ran 10 kilometers barefoot carrying 10 kilograms of weight, clocking in at just 47 minutes during the Dubai Marathon—another Guinness triumph.
From Bodybuilder to Ultra-Runner
Nikesh’s journey began in the world of bodybuilding, where he earned district titles in Kannur in 2010 and 2011. Migrating to the UAE in 2017 with hopes of building a career in fitness, he began working as a trainer in Dubai’s gyms.
Running, however, was a later passion. It wasn’t until 2023 that he began serious training, thanks to the encouragement of the Kerala Riders Club. Despite early setbacks—including collapsing during his first major run—Nikesh’s resolve only strengthened.
The Attempt That Failed, and the Dream That Didn't
In 2023, he attempted to walk across all seven emirates, only to suffer a foot injury after 450 km, forcing him to quit. “It broke me,” Nikesh recalls. “But my wife’s belief in me never wavered.”
With no sponsors, a worn-out pair of shoes, and only dry nuts for sustenance, his earlier attempt was fueled by sheer willpower and Samreen’s unwavering support. “She asked for a Guinness Record as her birthday gift. I couldn’t say no,” says Nikesh.
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Five Days, 625 Kilometers, One Fortuner
Starting from Al Ghuwaifat on November 23 at 6 PM, Nikesh traversed scorching highways and rugged terrain. Samreen followed in a rented Fortuner, sleeping in rest stops and petrol stations while cheering him on. He sustained injuries, including cuts to his feet, and ran 25 kilometers without shoes.
Their determination paid off.
Every step was documented with GPS tracking, biometric data, witness statements, videos, and even police testimonies—painstakingly submitted to Guinness for verification. The result? A world record in his name.
A Surprise Second Record
The second record came almost by accident. Initially, Nikesh only wanted to run the Dubai Marathon. But after learning about the Guinness opportunity, he registered to attempt the fastest 10K run barefoot while carrying 10 kg—a feat he completed without prior preparation, in under 47 minutes." I couldn’t afford the race fee. But Guinness showed interest in my idea. So I just went for it,” he says with a grin.
The Road Ahead
Nikesh and Samreen now dream bigger: to run between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers, setting a new benchmark in endurance sports. “The right training and financial backing could make this possible,” says Samreen, who remains his biggest motivator and partner in every mile.
“Life becomes beautiful when you stand beside each other’s dreams,” she says. “We were best friends before marriage—and we still are. That’s our secret.”
With children’s training and future endurance goals in mind, Nikesh’s journey is far from over. But for now, he’s happy to have turned a heartfelt birthday wish into a legacy written in the Guinness Book of World Records.
