Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Record-breaking Al Mouj Muscat Marathon a big success

1226994
1226994
minus
plus

Muscat: A large international contingent of athletes welcomed the near perfect conditions, which saw many runners achieve personal best performances.


The centrepiece Al Mouj Muscat Marathon event was won by Kenya’s Moses Too who completed the 42km course in 02:19:30, ahead of Anouar El Ghouz with another Kenyan, Gideon Kipgurui Kipsang, third.


The women’s marathon title was taken by Muscat resident Brtukan Adeba Berihun. She said: “It was a very nice race and I am very happy to be the winner. Muscat is a beautiful place to run and the people have been lovely, so welcoming.”


And for eight-time marathon runner Manal Rostom, the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon marked a new personal best performance. The high-profile Egyptian runner and mountaineer has been the figurehead of a global Nike-made athletes’ hijab campaign.


“I just love how the (Oman) culture is evolving and the way they are introducing kids, expats or locals, everyone, to exercise more — today it was a perfect course with perfect scenery, and ideal for getting a personal best, so I am super-happy,” said the Dubai-based pharmacist and personal trainer.


And she added: “At the moment I think there is an evolution happening in the Middle East with how Arab countries are taking up sports, they are taking it more seriously than ever. To have an international marathon, such as the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon that represents your country is super-awesome, it smashes stereotypes.”


The Half-marathon event attracted a record 684 entries. Jordan’s Mohammad Alkhwaldeh won the men’s race in a time of 01:14:01 ahead of Omani runners Hilal al Golandni and Mahmood al Quraini.


The women’s race was won by Anne Murvold from Norway. “I have only done two half-marathons before, so maybe I should do some more!,” said a delighted Murvold. “I started too fast and after 11kms I was thinking ‘how will I do this?’ — but when I turned on the course it was OK and I had the wind at my back, and that was much better, so I am very happy.”


And she added: “It was fun racing on the golf course section, and Muscat is superb.”


Meanwhile, British athlete Sarah Steer was frustrated in her attempt to reclaim her Guinness World Record for the fastest half-marathon pushing a double buggy when a wheel on the buggy holding her twin three-year-old sons Luke and Nathan failed 2kms into the race.


“Today wasn’t the day — but I have held the record once so I am OK with that,” she said. “Muscat is great, and people have been so friendly, it is such a nice place to be.”


In the 10km event victory in the women’s race went to Muscat resident and physiotherapist Dawn Meredith-Davies. “It was a bit of a mad dash out to the front at the beginning but then I kept it steady — you have to have a target and I just kept going at that, though I had a great race with the woman who came second,” said Meredith-Davies, who runs with the Muscat Road Runners, founders of the Muscat Marathon in 2012.


The men’s 10km was won by Omani runner Abdullah al Quraini in a time of 00:33:55, ahead of Ahmed al Amri and Omar al Hmrashdi.


Meanwhile, the 5km Charity Fun Run in support of The Oman Diabetes Association saw 1,099 runners taking part and was won by Muscat’s Amjad al Shukaili, with Kate McDonald the fastest woman.


Also taking part was Belgian runner Edwige Van Den Assem, who at 73 was the oldest athlete competing in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon festival of running.


“I may be the oldest runner here but I don’t feel it — running makes me feel 10 years younger, gives me a lot of social contacts and I aim to keep on doing it. I like running because it keeps me healthy and I am a very active woman,” said Edwige, who only took up running when she retired 10 years ago.


“I will be 74 in December and hopefully will be back to run the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon again next year. I have just bought new running shoes, so I won’t be hanging them up any time soon!”


The prize-giving was held following racing with guest of honour His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim al Said, Ambassador and Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate.


David Graham, CEO of event organiser Oman Sail, said: “Great congratulations are due to all the runners who competed in — and completed — this year’s Al Mouj Muscat Marathon festival of running.


“We were especially thrilled with the diversity of nationalities taking part and the enormous interest that we’ve seen from people of all ages and ability to participate in what is now a truly international event.


“The Al Mouj Muscat Marathon has proven to be an excellent platform to get people active and to promote the Sultanate of Oman as the ultimate adventure tourism destination. We are on the right path and look forward to working with our partners to grow the event further in 2019.”


The seventh edition of the Muscat Marathon saw a record-breaking number of 6,094 entries across all race categories with runners from 87 countries including India, Britain, the Philippines, France, South Africa and the US.


In the run-up to the festival world running’s international governing body AIMS — the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races — formally recognised the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon for the first time.


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon