Muscat: Once a helicopter pilot and now a passionate runner, Paul Dean, representative of the Muscat Road Runners (MRR), a group that stands for running for a better life, is advocating healthy lifestyle and urges people to lead an active lifestyle.
Leading an active and sporty life is all the more important as the lifestyle diseases and fatalities are climbing their way up and eating habits, still remain junk.
"I'm a casual runner interested in bringing people to run. Those who run for the first time might find it difficult in the initial phase but will enjoy later," said an energetic Paul Dean.
Muscat Road Runners (MRR) is a multinational group which gets together several times a week to run since 1983. This Group with 80 members constantly educates people to run to be healthy and it conducts running with the participation of at least 45 people of all abilities.
Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, the biggest running event in the Sultanate that will take place on February 11 and 12, 2022, he said majority of those who found it difficult in the first instance have become better runners at a later stage in life.
"We shouldn't stop running in a day instead, continue running and lead a healthy lifestyle," Paul, who has been running since its first edition in 2012 and had inspired many to run along every year, said.
The 2022 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will feature seven race distances: Marathon – 42.2km; Half Marathon – 21.1km; 10km; 5km; 3km; 2km and 1km. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 10 km will be held on Friday, February 11, while the 5km and Kids’ races are scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 12.
The 2020 edition had close to 11,000 participants, and the 2022 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon is expected to attract a large number of participants. The organisers are diligently working towards creating an environment where all safety protocols are in place during the event and in close coordination with the government authorities who are taking all measures to ensure Covid-19 is under control in the country by the end of the year. The marathon will be open only to fully vaccinated participants.
Oman has an increasing number of obesity and overweight and his simple message to people is to take Muscat Marathon as a launching pad and make running a part of life
The MRR believes that running takes your body, mind, and spirit to a better place. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward can make you healthier, happier, and more confident.
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