Participants at the 8th Mobily Jeddah Marathon 2011 start the charity race Tuesday from Al-Tahliya Square at the Corniche. They headed north along the Corniche to the Globe Roundabout before heading south to the finishing point near Red Sea Mall on King's Road. (SG photo by Mohammad Mazhar Siddiqi)JEDDAH: Some 6,000 people, from recreational runners to international stars to people with disabilities ran races Tuesday in the 8th Mobily Jeddah Marathon 2011. The race, organized by the Al-Bir Charitable Society, was kicked off under the patronage of Prince Misha'l Bin Majed, Governor of Jeddah. Winners will be formally announced Wednesday and Prince Misha'l will crown the victors. The main event, a 20-km race for professional and amateur runners, started at 5.15 P.M. Runners followed a route that started at Al-Tahliya Square at the Corniche and went north along the Corniche to the Globe Roundabout before heading south to the finishing point near the Red Sea Mall on King's Road. International champions from Ethiopia, Kenya, Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain, and some Saudi track stars participated in the marathon. There were more than 1,000 spectators, including a number of women, to watch and cheer the participants. The event included a race for runners under the age of 18, a 6-km roller-skate race, a 3-km wheelchair race and a 500-meter race for people suffering from autism. This year's race was better organized than past events, especially with regard to crowd control, said Abdullah Bakhashab, chairman of its organizing committee. He said he was pleased with the event and hoped it would be even more successful in future. “The racers could run along the route freely with no obstacles in their way, which made it easier for the organizing committee,” said Bakhashab. “The spectators were kept behind fences that were made especially for the purpose. The large number of spectators was a sign that the public is aware of the importance of activities involving the disabled.” The activities this year were different from those in past years because of the larger number of participants and due to the participation of those with special needs, which enhanced the charitable purpose of the event, he added. One runner in the race for people with special needs said he was delighted with his result and the event itself. “I wanted to finish first, but I got third position in the race and I am still happy,” said Adam Ahmed Sheikh, 18. “I hope this marathon will see more handicapped people participating and showing that they are part of the community.” This year's Jeddah Mobily Marathon was held with a slightly altered course, which stretched for 20 kilometers, and new categories including the race for skaters. Events held in tandem with the marathon include the Mobily Bazaar, held over five days at the Red Sea Mall with the involvement of health clubs and sports organizations.
