Record 10,000 runners hit the road in Saudi Arabia’s first international marathon

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s first international marathon brought more than 10,000 runners onto the streets of the Kingdom’s capital on Saturday — more than double the number expected by race organizers.

Elite competitors joined runners of all ages and a host of nationalities in events ranging from a full 42-km marathon all the way down to a 4-km fun run.

“Since this was our first (full) marathon, we were expecting half the number of the actual turnout,” said Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini, managing director of the Saudi Sports for All Federation.

“Having more than 10,000 people compete today shows that the physical activity movement in Saudi is growing massively. I think we hit a record and I’m very proud of that.”

The SFA, which was established in 2018, works to drive community sports in the Kingdom. Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, the federation’s president, launched the Riyadh Marathon 2022 last November.

The 42-km course started at King Saud University and wound its way through the capital, with top finishers receiving prize money of more than SR2 million ($533,030).

Other races allowed people of all ages and athletic ability to take part, with food, entertainment and recreational activities also on offer at the Marathon Village.

Notable results for Saudi Arabia included Ali Al-Sharani, who finished third in the non-elite full marathon with a time of 2:28:51.4; and Yousef Alasiri, who finished second in the half-marathon (21 km) with a time of 1:08:47.9. Badr Ali won the 10-km run with a time of 31:33.7, followed by Wesam Alfarsi in 31:35.1.

In the women’s category, Miznah Alnassar finished first with a time 42:57.5 and Fatimah Aljedaani finished third with a time of 43:56.3.

Saleh Almalki came second in the