Oman gears up for Al Mouj Muscat Marathon

Sports Sunday 16/February/2020 19:22 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman gears up for Al Mouj Muscat Marathon

Muscat: Oman’s Al Mouj Muscat Marathon is once again prepared for another record entry in 2020 as it continues to meet growing local, regional and international demand for distance running events.
Former world record marathon champion Paula Radcliffe returns for a second year as an international ambassador for the marathon’s ninth edition.
The iconic British runner is joined in 2020 by a high-profile group of Omani athletes who will also promote the event globally.
First held in 2012 the Muscat Marathon was originally organised by the Muscat Road Runners. The inaugural grassroots event attracted 135 competitors – a total which has steadily increased over every subsequent edition.
Sporting calendar
In 2017 it cemented its position as one of the star events in Oman’s sporting calendar – and a growing presence on the international sporting calendar – with the involvement of established event managers Oman Sail and the support of title sponsor Al Mouj Muscat, the renowned waterfront destination.
With another record entry in 2019 – featuring more than 8,000 runners representing 103 nationalities – the next edition is set to hit new heights.
Two-day festival
The 2020 event will again be a two-day festival of running – held on February 21 and 22. As in 2019 the full marathon event will now be held on the first day, February 21, along with the half-marathon, marathon relay and 10km run. The Kids’ Run over three distances and the 5 km run will again be held on the Saturday.
The February date offers perfect running conditions with average temperatures between 17°C and 25°C, and a beautiful coastal course along the Muscat shoreline. The 2020 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will again feature six race categories, opening the event up to runners of all ages and fitness levels. They are:
Friday, February 21
Marathon – The full 42.2 km main event is sub-divided into Open, Veteran and Super Veteran age groups (17-39, 40-55 and 56-99 years-old respectively).
Half Marathon – this 21km event is also divided into the same age groups.
10km Race – this middle-distance category also features a Junior age group (10-16 years-old) in addition to the Open, Veterans and Super Veterans groups.
Companies are invited to take part in the Corporate category, with teams grouped by numbers – 20 to 50, 51 to 200, and 200 + sub-divisions. Corporate runners can also take part in the Charity Fun Run category.
Saturday, February 22
Kids’ Run – will feature three different age groups with 7 and 8-year-old on a 1km course; 9 and 10-year-old on a 2km course; and 11 and 12-year-old running a 3km course. All the young competitors will receive an event t-shirt and medal.
n 5km Run – this is open to any runner aged 12 years old and above. A quarter of all entry fees will go directly and equally to the event’s six charity partners (detailed below). Runners and their supporters can also top-up donations online at any time.