Abu Dhabi: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the patron of the Zayed International Half Marathon has called for organising a full annual marathon from next year as the Zayed International Marathon following the success the event achieved Thursday.
The decision was greeted by the IAAF (International Athletics Federation). Francisco Borao, the member of IAAF Road Running Commission, who attended the race welcomed the decision saying, "I believe that the UAE will achieve great success in organising an annual marathon and the IAAF will surely welcome the decision bearing in mind that they are now organising, for many years, the richest running event in the world."
Borao said, "The UAE is qualified to organise the World Marathon Championship as they have good infrastructure and have able organising staff. I am happy with the way they have organised this event."
Shaikh Mansour attended the conclusion of the marathon and presented trophies and prizes to the winners in various categories.
