Saudi Sports For All Federation Unveils 3rd Riyadh Marathon Venue

 

_{Saudi Sports for All Federation announces new Kingdom Arena location for third Riyadh Marathon (Photo: AETOSWire)} 

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has announced the start and finish location for the third Riyadh Marathon, taking place on Feb 10, will be the newly-constructed Kingdom Arena.

Supported by the Ministry of Sport, the Riyadh Marathon has emerged as one of the country's most anticipated sporting events, making the Kingdom Arena the perfect location to begin and end this exciting road race.

"We are pleased to welcome back the Riyadh Marathon, and to be incorporating the city's newest sporting venue, the Kingdom Arena. We expect this year's event to be the biggest and best yet, helping us to fulfill our mandate to get more of the Kingdom's population engaged in physical activity," said SFA Managing Director, Shaima Saleh Al-Husseini.

Last year, the marathon attracted 15,000 runners from 128 nationalities, with the percentage of Saudi citizens reaching 61.6 per cent and measurements were also taken to certify the marathon as a World Athletics Label Road Race.

According to SFA in a statement, a 'Marathon Village' area will also be set up at Kingdom Arena Square on Feb 9 and 10, to offer food and beverage stands, entertainment options, as well as a wide range of fitness and well-being activities.

A 21.1 kilometres (km) route has been marked through streets of Riyadh, ready for participants of the half marathon and marathon, taking in key city landmarks, such as Diriyah and Wadi Hanifa, while those running 42.2km will circle this twice.

Meanwhile, the 10km route will be in the north of the city, passing Wonder Garden and Boulevard World, with the four km run filling the gap between this and the larger 21.1km course.

The Riyadh Marathon is intended to bring large numbers of people together with a shared interest, making new friends and memories as part of their physical journey. 

Registration is available via the Riyadh Marathon website and the SFA's website and app.

-- BERNAMA