Dubai: Dennis Steinauer, president of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington, will be race director for this year's Always 5k Women's Run to be held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.
Organised by the UAE Athletic Federation and taking place on the Palm Jumeirah, the annual run will this year have a 10k race for the first time with some of the top distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia and Europe expected to attend.
An experienced race director, Steinauer has worked and volunteered on everything from children's races to ultra marathons, while also competing as a runner in a dozen marathons including Boston, New York City, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Marine Corps and Leeds.
As president of the Credit Union run for 15 years, Steinauer heads a race committee of over 40 individuals and 1,200 volunteers. He also helped establish and for 21 years has directed the Rockville Twilight Runfest 8k, a July evening race of 3,000 runners, held in Rockville, Maryland, just outside Washington.
Last year's inaugural Dubai 5k run attracted a record 1,500 entrants. "But this year we are expecting more to confirm and the actual figures will be clear in a few days," said Ahmad Al Kamali, President of the UAE Athletic Federation, who was recently elected onto the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) council.
"For the first time this year we will incorporate the 10k run so that should see us getting an event that is capable of attracting a good number of athletes," Al Kamali said.
Another first is that the race a title sponsor, Always. "Locally too, there has been a tremendous response from women and we are pleased with the enquiries from various Government departments," Al Kamali said.
‘Celebration'
"This run is a celebration of women's achievements and that gives it a completely different profile," he added.
Fitness First, CPI, Reebok, Gloria Hotel, Bank of NY Mellon, ME FIT Pro, Ask International, Pink Pepper, Urban Energy Fitness and Thai Privilege Spa are among the other sponsors. "We are geared up and prepared to host a successful run this year," event director Leisa Euton said.
"We are amazed with the participation of some of the top companies in the country. We already have confirmed runners from Africa and some more from Europe for the 5k and 10k runs," she added.
Entrance fee for participants is Dh100. Registration can be done online at www.5kwomensrun.com or by visiting any Fitness First Club or Reebok retail outlets. Further information on the race may be obtained from Euton by emailing info@5kwomensrun.com.
