Dubai: Race organisers are expecting more than 4,000 runners to line up for the Sixth Annual Dubai Women’s Run to be staged at SkyDive Dubai from 6am on Friday.
Organised by the UAE Athletics Federation (UAE AF) under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President, UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC), organisers had already registered a little more than 3,900 participants for the run. But with registration kept open till 8pm on Thursday, organisers were confident of crossing the 4,000-mark.
“Runners are still trickling in and registering their names. Considering the flow we think we will surely cross the 4,000 mark when registration closes,” race director Liesa Euton told Gulf News.
“We are all set to go for yet another edition of our run. Our dedicated team of volunteers is already at the SkyDive Dubai site carrying out last minute arrangements, while the racecourse is also being secured by the technical team,” she added.
A handful of long distance runners from Africa and Europe have already landed for the run. To be held in collaboration with the Nike Fitness Fest, the race will feature a 5km and 10km race with the top ten finishers sharing a part of the Dh100,000 in prize money.
Prominent among the favourites for the 10km title are the Ugandan duo of Stella Chesang and Mercyline Chelangat, while Chad’s Bibiro Ali Taher and Marie Elaine Saholinirina from Madagascar also are in contention. The European contingent is led by the Armenian pair of Stella Tamrazyan and Lilit Harutyunyan, the Czech Republic’s Kristina Maki and Simona Vrzalova and the Serbian duo of Biljana Cvijanovic and Ana Risticevic.
This year’s run will start off from Skydive Dubai, proceed towards The Walk, JBR and then finally turn around and end at SkyDive Dubai. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Al Jalila Foundation and junior national teams of the UAE.
“The women’s run supports the government initiative to encourage healthy living in the UAE, and our sponsorship of the race demonstrates our commitment to further spreading our message across the country. We are proud to be investing in our community by supporting events like this that empower and encourage women to live active lives,” Ahmad Al Kamali, President, UAE AF, said.
This year’s run is collaborating with the Sun and Sands Sports Fitness Fest adding a new dimension to the finale of the run and the start of two days of fun and fitness for the public.
Key partners and sponsors of the annual event include Dubai Police, Dubai Ambulance Department, Air France KLM, Meydan Hotel, Mon Viso Water and Neutrogena among others.
