Buckle up and enjoy the roller coaster ride!

Hard work in tough conditions seems to be the norm for Darren Edward Steward.

After completing his military service, he followed his father and brother’s footsteps into the construction industry. And since those early days, he’s spent the majority of his work life in the oil and gas sector in locations ranging from South Africa to Egypt and now, Qatar.

With his experience in demanding industries and roles, perhaps it comes as no surprise that he’s completed not one but two 90-kilometer ultra marathons, one 50-kilometer desert ultra marathon, the Doha Marathon, as well as a treadmill marathon – and that’s just in 2024!

“Running is my off switch,” says Darren, when asked what role the sport plays in his life, adding, “I am a very firm believer that the discipline and dedication required to run ultra marathons helps to have a strong and disciplined attitude at work.”

And the proof is clear – in his latest attempt, Darren finished in 25th place out of approximately 1,500 participants, covering the 90 kilometers in 11 hours and 46 minutes.

Although he’s only been at thyssenkrupp Uhde for four years in his current role, Darren’s relationship with the company dates back to the early 1990s when he was a piping and welding inspector.

These days, his mornings typically begin with a site walk at QAFCO 7 to check if Uhde’s “Clean Build” philosophy is being followed. Darren explains, “This involves all disciplines and ensures minimum downtime in the pre-commissioning phase, beginning with construction.”

Even if it takes a while, he says the best part of his work is seeing all the various construction phases evolving over time and finally coming together.

While the job may be fulfilling, spending so much time away from his loved ones has made Darren truly value the caring environment and sense of family that is cultivated at thyssenkrupp Uhde, adding, “It’s a workplace where one can feel at home, which is special.”

And of course, there’s another place that Darren always feels at home – in his running shoes. He runs at least five times a week, covering between 80 – 120 kilometers, in addition to swimming, yoga, Pilates and strength training to minimize any risk of injuries. After beginning his running career with the humble Parkrun – a free weekly 5-kilometer event held at locations across the world – he will soon make his sixth attempt in the Comrades Marathon – the world’s oldest ultra marathon!

After so many years in the industry and on the road across the world, we had to ask Darren what he’d say to young professionals who are interested in joining this industry. His answer was simple: