Marathon efforts make Muscat show a success
Kenyan athlete Moses Too finished first in the big race while local lad Anouar El Ghouz came in second
MUSCAT: The two-day Muscat Marathon attracted more than 6,000 athletes from 86 countries, a record for the race.
The first day of the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon kicked off with the participation of 2,374 children – aged seven to 12 years – who took part in the Kids’ Run. Also, dozens of schools participated, with the Al Seeb International School winning the Most Active School in Oman trophy and OMR1,000 in gym equipment.
Kenyan athlete Moses Too finished first in the marathon, running a distance of 42 kilometres in just under 2 hours and 20 minutes (02:19:30), with an average pace of 3:20 minutes per kilometre. Local runner Anouar El Ghouz and another Kenyan, Gideon Kipgurui Kipsang, came in second and third (02:20:41 and 02:22:00), respectively.
“I have raced in other marathons and this one is very, very hard, but I am so grateful to have won it,” said Too, after he crossed the finish line.
“I am very happy to have won and it was my first time in Oman – it is a very special place, very beautiful, and the people are incredibly welcoming and friendly,” he added
The women’s marathon title was taken by Muscat resident Br- tukan Adeba Berihun (02:48:55).
“It was a very nice race and I am very happy to be the winner. Muscat is a beautiful place to run and the people have been lovely, so welcoming,” Berihun remarked
Of note, eight-time marathon runner Manal Rostom marked a new personal best performance. The high-profile Egyptian runner and mountaineer has been the figurehead of a global Nike-made athletes’ hijab campaign.
“I just love how the (Oman) culture is evolving and the way they are introducing kids, expats and locals to exercise more - today it was a perfect course with perfect scenery, and ideal for earning a person- al best, so I am super-happy,” said the Dubai-based pharmacist and personal trainer.
“At the moment, I think there is an evolution happening in the Middle East in how Arab countries are taking up sports. They are taking it more seriously than ever.
“To have an international marathon, such as the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon that represents your country, is super-awesome. It smashes stereotypes,” she added.
The half-marathon event attracted a record 684 entries. Jordanian Mohammad Al khwaldeh won the event, clocking in the distance at 01:14:01, while Omanis Hilal Al Golandni and Mahmood Al Qurawi finished second and third, with times of 01:14:35 and 01:15:09, respectively.
Also, the renowned Al Khwaldeh defied the odds by securing first place in the half-marathon. “For me, it’s the finish line that really makes the race special and keeps me going,” noted Al Khwaldeh.
It was assumed that the halfmarathon runner would break the record of 2017 Omani winner Abdullah Al Qarini (01:10:19).
“I was looking forward to this day and have been working extremely hard not to compete against any- one but myself,” stressed the winner. The half-marathon women’s race was won by Anne Murvold from Norway (01:33:39).
“I have only run two half-marathons before, so maybe I should do some more,” said Murvold.
“I started too fast and after 11kms I was thinking ‘how will I do this?’ - but when I turned on the course, it was OK and I had the wind at my back, and that was much better, so I am very happy,” she added.
Meanwhile, British athlete Sarah Steer was frustrated in her attempt to reclaim her Guinness World Record for the fastest halfmarathon while pushing a double buggy, when a wheel on the buggy holding her twin three-year-old sons, Luke and Nathan, malfunctioned at 2 kms into the race.
“Today wasn’t the day – but I have held the record once, so I am OK with that,” she said.
“Muscat is great, and people have been so friendly, it is such a nice place to be.” In the 10 km event, victory in the women’s race went to Muscat resident and physiotherapist Dawn Meredith-Davies (00:44:09). Full story @ timesofoman.com/oman