More Than a Summit: Rady Ahmed’s Race to Make History on Mount Moses. Most people climb Sinai’s historic Mount Moses to witness the sunrise, but Egyptian athlete and sports coach Rady Ahmed climbed it to secure a legacy. With a background in sports science and rehabilitation, credentials as a national cycling champion, and a tenure on the International Olympic Committee for athletes with Down syndrome, Ahmed’s athletic resume is extensive.
Yet, his ultimate challenge unfolded 2,272 meters above sea level along an ancient pilgrimage route where nature was as much a competitor as the clock. Rady shattered expectations by completing an officially accepted Guinness World Record attempt for the fastest ascent of Mount Moses, timing every grueling step to become the fastest man to ever make the journey.
“I have been practicing sports since I was in the fifth grade, around eight or nine years old, so sports are truly in my blood,” Rady shares.
A Year of Brutal Preparation
To prepare his body for the unforgiving vertical climb, Rady dedicated twelve months to a grueling training regimen, entirely committing his life to the attempt for the final three months.
“I used to train two to three times per day just to be ready,” Rady recalls. “In the morning, I did gym work or functional training, followed by a brutal half-hour on the StairMaster at level 16 to prepare for the mountain’s final 287 steps. My evening sessions were all about running hills, hitting the track for speed work, and climbing local peaks.”
Before making the official run, Rady climbed to the summit three separate times just to test all his equipment and analyze the terrain. When the day finally arrived, the climb required strict documentation. Equipped with a GPS tracker and a GoPro to verify the timestamp, Rady climbed the mountain alone, passing strategic witnesses required by Guinness rules.
“Guinness didn’t physically come to verify my record on-site, but I provided 12 distinct pieces of evidence to them to approve my attempt,” Rady explains.
Throughout the hard process, it was a collective effort that kept him moving forward: “Honestly, the thing I thought about the most was my family and friends. They encouraged me from day one; they were all so incredibly enthusiastic.”
Protecting the Path to the Peak
For Rady , achieving a personal milestone was only half the victory; the real mission started with respecting and protecting the mountain itself. His deep connection to South Sinai dates back to 2010, a bond that has grown so strong over the years that the local community feels like family.
“I have been going to Sinai since 2010, and I’ve become deeply connected to it,” He reflects. “I have so many friends there that it feels like going to my own home. In Sinai, entering Bedouin homes is a profound honor. When I visit, they love to talk to me and invite me into their spaces. It is a massive privilege, and they truly make me feel like I am one of them.”
He firmly believes that if you climb a mountain, you bear the responsibility to care for it.
“My main goal was to leave a positive impact, not just to go viral,” Rady says.
“Whenever I went anywhere and saw plastic waste, I would always pick it up and carry it until I found a trash can. So I thought, why not do this on the mountain? There is a new generation that lacks awareness about the necessity of protecting nature, and we need to protect it with collective clean-ups.”
The Real Victory is the Journey
More Than a Summit: Rady Ahmed’s Race to Make History on Mount Moses. Beyond the Awards and the verified timestamps, he hopes his journey inspires others to rethink how they measure success in their own lives.
“I really want people to remember that the goal you are trying to reach is not necessarily the only thing that matters,” Rady reflects. “The journey itself is always more important.”
By integrating high-end athletic endurance with a fierce dedication to environmental preservation, Rady Ahmed has proven that a true champion doesn’t just conquer a summit; they safeguard the path for everyone who follows.