Organisers expect more than 3,000 runners

Seventh edition of annual event seeks to empower and motivate women

Organisers are expecting more than 3,000 runners for the seventh Dubai Women’s Run, to be held at Marasi Business Bay tomorrow.

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC), the Dubai Women’s Run is the first such initiative in the Middle East celebrating the spirit of the Arab women. This year the event is being organised by Plan B with support from the UAE Athletics Federation (UAE AF) and Dubai Sports Council (DSC).

Of the total participants, a handful of elite international participants will grace this year’s run led by the UAE’s Asian champion Alia Mohammad Saeed. Others in the fray include the Serbian trio of Biljana Cvijanovic, defending champion in the 5km race, Olivera Jevtic and Ana Risticevic along with Aremian runners Ellada Alaverdyan and Lilit Harutyunyan, who took the bronze last year.

“Alia is definitely the one to beat this Friday,” Ahmad Al Kamali, President, UAE AF told Gulf News.

Strength to strength

“She is in prime shape and she has promised she will be aiming for a sub-32 minute time in the 10-km race. It will be tough for the other runners to get past her,” Al Kamali added.

Embodying the never-saydie spirit of the woman of today, the event has grown from strength to strength, attracting local, regional and international participation. Among the innovations this year, a group of young women have flown in from the UK for the run, while another group has decided to run the entire race wearing saris.

“The Dubai Women’s Run has been associated with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (DFWAC) while integrating itself with the foundation’s Orange Campaign that seeks to eliminate violence against women worldwide,” Harmeek Singh, Founder and Chairman of Plan B Group said at the announcement yesterday.

“These new aspects to the run have added soul and substance to the event,” he added.

Sponsored by Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Ambulance, Victoria’s Secret and Lialli Jewellery among others, the event will feature a dedicated Race Village with food and beverage, entertainment and health activities for the entire family at the venue along Marasi Business Bay.