Dubai: Kenneth Leverich and Lindsey Valenzuela of the United States remained at the top of the leaderboard with a day to go in qualifying for the second Dubai Fitness Championships being held at Fitness First Dubai.
Leverich was at the top of the men’s category with a time of 11 minutes 17.44 seconds, while Valenzuela was the undisputed leader in the women’s competition so far in a time of 12:07.13.
In the men’s section, Leverich is being followed by the UAE’s Khalifa Al Qubaisi after the Emirati’s second attempt gave him 11:22.81, while former leader Hallvard Borsheim from Norway is in third following a second attempt that gave him 11:22.94.
As well as Al Qubaisi, a host of Emirati competitors have made progress in the competition. Mahmood Shalan is in 13th place followed by Marwan Al Merri in 16th, Mohammad Al Ketbi in 20th and Mohammad Al Ameri in 33rd.
In the women’s competition, Valenzuela is being followed by United Kingdom’s Leanne Gerrish in second place with 12:18.06 while Marlene Andersson, representing Kuwait, is third with 12:22.19. Annie Thorisdottir of Iceland is in fourth and the UK’s Charlotte Mathers, who was third overnight, is in fifth.
Inger Larsen and Borsheim had pulled themselves to the top of standings in the women’s and men’s categories respectively at the end of the third week of qualifiers last weekend. The qualifying rounds of the championship were scheduled to conclude at midnight on September 8, leading up to the finals that were to be held at a specially set-up circuit on the ice rink at The Dubai Mall from September 12-14.
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the championship is aimed at raising the awareness of the importance of exercise and health, while promoting fitness among UAE residents, especially among Emiratis.
This year, the number of qualifiers for the finals will be 36 each in the male and female categories with the winners in each category walking away with Dh200,000 from the total prize fund of nearly Dh1 million. Telephone operator du is the main sponsor while Dubai Sports Council is the official partner of the event. Further information about the championships can be obtained at www.dxbfitness.com.