More than 20,000 individuals from 125 international locations, together with a file 60% Saudi nationals, took half within the third version of the Riyadh Marathon on February 10 – a rise of greater than 33%, with 15,000 runners in 2023.

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Riyadh Marathon Presented by SAB (Graphic: AETOSWire)

For the primary time, the beginning and end line, and the accompanying Marathon Village, had been positioned subsequent to Kingdom Arena and Boulevard World. From there, opponents of all ages and talents might take pleasure in one in every of 4 races – the total marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km, and 4km household run. Across the 4 races, there have been greater than 20,000 individuals, with a major improve in feminine runners, exceeding 7,200. In complete, 64% had been males, with 36% feminine.

The prime three elite male marathon runners had been Kigen Wilfred Kirwa of Kenya, Tilahun Abe Gashahun of Ethiopia, and El Ghouz Anouar of Morocco, who had been awarded US$30,000, US$20,000, and US$10,000 respectively. The prime three feminine elite marathon runners, receiving the identical quantities, had been Badane Bedatu Hirpa, Desta Nigist Muluneh, and Jebesa Zenebu Fikadu, all from Ethiopia. Prizes for elite runners within the half marathon began at US$5,000 for first place.

SFA President HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud mentioned: “In line with the mandate of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, events such as this are building a healthier, happier population. And with increasing numbers of participants from abroad, we are raising Saudi Arabia’s profile as a sporting nation.”

SFA Managing Director Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini mentioned: “The remarkable figure of 36% female participation underscores our concerted efforts to empower women through sports, and helps to realize the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This milestone achievement heralds a brighter, healthier future.”

Organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Arabian Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation, the occasion sponsors included Saudi Awwal Bank, and headline sponsors ROSHN, PepsiCo, ASICS, Twauniya, Genesis, and Al Arabiya, with a complete of US$197,000 in money prizes awarded to winners. The occasion was additionally sponsored by JPMorgan, Hisamitsu, Activia, L’Oréal, GSK, CALO, Kudu, Delta Sports, and MDLBeast.

*Source: AETOSWire

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