Safwan is long time soccer athlete who got the running itch in 2019 to improve overall strength and endurance for his soccer league competitions. While residing in Northern California, he completed several 5K/10K road and trail races in 2019 and 2020 which eventually lead to his first half marathon in Santa Cruz, California, in 2020 (right before the pandemic!). During 2020, he took up road cycling and explored the beautiful cycling routes throughout the Bay Area, subsequently completing his first century ride. He had planned to run his first marathon in Chicago in 2020 but that race was canceled due to the pandemic. He completed his first marathon in Chicago in 2021. Combining his passion for cycling and running (and jumping in the lap pool for the first time), he signed up for triathlons including Olympic distance, half Ironman (70.3) and full Ironman (140.6) which were all completed in 2022.
Safwan hopes to earn all six stars of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. London will be his 3rd Major following Chicago (2021) and New York (2022). His current goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon and came close to qualifying at the Detroit Marathon (2022). Safwan is planning on competing in a half and full Ironman in addition to running the Chicago and Berlin Marathons in 2023 (if his body holds up!).
Safwan is married to his very supportive wife, Razan Asbahi, and they currently reside in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, with their three children and cat. Their oldest son attends the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. When not training for marathons and triathlons, Safwan enjoys his work at Lurie Children’s Hospital and running/cycling with friends and family in Illinois and Michigan. He especially loves to run the Lakefront Trail in downtown Chicago which offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.