The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced, today, the inauguration of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, which will be held, for the first time, on December 7, 2018, bringing the world’s oldest race to one of the world’s most modern cities, and deepening ADNOC’s commitment to the Abu Dhabi community.
A three-year partnership agreement, conferring naming rights for the event to ADNOC, which will serve as Title Sponsor, was signed between H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Executive Office Director at ADNOC. The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon will position the United Arab Emirates’ capital city firmly on the global athletics calendar, while promoting wellness in the local community and participation at all levels.
Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Chairman of General Authority for Sports, said the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is the latest addition to the ever-growing list of international sporting events to arrive in Abu Dhabi.
“It may be the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, but it will be second to none among established international marathons around the world,” Major General Al Romaithi said. “We expect a world-class elite field and participation of thousands of runners at various levels.”
At the signing ceremony, H.E. Aref Al Awani said: “The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon adds a new international sporting event to our calendar of events and will leave behind a legacy that the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is very keen to promote as part of our community sports programming.”
The race will be held over a 42.195-kilometer (26 miles, 385 yards) course that will showcase the city of Abu Dhabi to a global audience. In recognition of the Year of Zayed, the race will bring together elite international athletes, seasoned amateur runners and thousands of people taking part in their first marathon. It will offer runners of all abilities the chance to participate in a range of events from 2.5km and 5km fun runs, to the 10km and full-distance marathon.
Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Executive Office Director at ADNOC, said: “ADNOC is excited to play a part in bringing such an iconic event, the marathon, to Abu Dhabi. Our partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council is built on a shared commitment to elevating the health and well-being of individuals and embodies ADNOC’s historical dedication to supporting the communities in which we operate.
“Whether it’s through sporting and recreation, health and wellness, or youth and STEM education, ADNOC’s corporate social responsibility and purpose remains firm: To create a positive and lasting impact on UAE society,” Al Suwaidi said.
Entry fees for the event range from AED 50-75 for the shorter 2.5km and 5km fun runs, AED 150 for the 10km, and AED 350 for the Marathon race. Registration for the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is open at: www.adnocabudhabimarathon.com.
Marathons are run in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory. The legend states he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in battle, which took place in 490 BC. It is said he ran the entire distance from the battlefield to Athens, without stopping, to proclaim victory, before collapsing and dying.
The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 800 marathons are held throughout the world each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes as larger marathons can have tens of thousands of participants
The world-record time for men over the marathon distance is 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds, set in the Berlin Marathon Berlin Marathon, by Dennis Kimetto Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, on September 28, 2014. The world-record for women was set by Paula Radcliffe, of Great Britain, in the London Marathon London Marathon, held on April 13, 2003. Radcliff completed the race in 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds.
