Bigger and better next year, says Fujairah marathon organiser
Al Zahmi promises to learn from organisational hiccups of half marathon
Fujairah: The Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Fujairah Half Marathon is convinced that the event is capable of scaling much bigger heights in the near future.
"We have the full backing and support of the Fujairah Government with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of Fujairah taking a personal interest in the organization of this race," Salem Al Zahmi, Chairman of the Organising Committee told Gulf News after overseeing the inaugural running of the Fujairah Half Marathon here on Friday.
Traby Hmatou Laila representing France won the top honours in the women's 21km race followed by Marima Hashim in second (1:24.00:42) and Mehrat Al Namo in third with a time of 1:24.14:46. In the men's the glory went to Kenya's Evans Kiplagat after he completed the race ahead of Riad Mustafa of Morocco and David Rutoh of Kenya.
The 10km race, run alongside the main event, also had strong winners with Abu Dhabi-based Yasmin Wadhai winning the women's competition ahead of Irina Smolova of Russia and Joan Stephenson from the UK.
The men's 10km honours were reserved for Moroccan Yahya Bin Yousuf after he finished ahead of Yassin Kader of Ethiopia and Emirati runner Badr Al Arab.
"I think we have done well on all fronts, considering that this has been the first year for us in an event of this nature and magnitude. For sure, things will only get better when we have the next one next year," Al Zahmi added.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and also the patron of the race was the chief guest at the presentation ceremony after the 5km and 3km runs for children and women held later in the evening. He was joined by Al Zahmi and Ahmad Ebrahim, Managing Director, Fujairah International Marine Club along with a host of other top officials.
"We will learn from the drawbacks and will make an early start to the preparations for the next race. We will improve the field of runners and also increase the prize money," Al Zahmi promised.
