2020 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon set for record numbers

#MyCity_MyRace campaign ensures bumper turnout at IAAF Gold Label Marathon

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - January 25, 2019: People run in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2019. Friday, January 25th, 2019 at Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National

The 2020 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is expecting a record number of Emiratis line up alongside some of the world’s elite runners thanks to the viral #MyCity_MyRace campaign.

The Dubai Marathon on January 24 is the largest mass participation sports event in the Middle East, attracting more than 30,000 participants.

Now in its 21st year, the first and only IAAF Gold Label Marathon in the Middle East will see runners compete along the same route on Jumeirah Beach Road, with some of Dubai’s best-known landmarks, including the Burj Al Arab Hotel, providing the backdrop.

Competitors will be spread across three races – the 4km fun run, the 10km and the marathon - and runners of all abilities can still register through the official website, dubaimarathon.org

“Dubai Marathon is the biggest mass-participation sports event in this part of the world, with the number of participants exceeding 30,000 in the past few years,” said Khalid Al Award, director of Dubai Sports Council’s (DSC) Sports Events Department, at the council’s headquarters on Tuesday.

“This year, however, we are expecting to breach the 50,000 mark in terms of participation.

“We are confident we can achieve that because we have witnessed an increasing awareness about physical activity and fitness among both Emiratis and expatriates.

“This is a year of celebration in Dubai and UAE, and I am confident we will start the celebrations with a huge party on Jumeirah Beach Road on the day of the race, with a record number of Emiratis taking part, as the Dubai Holding campaign says, this is our city and our race.”

Nasser Aman Al Rahma, assistant secretary general of DSC, was also present conference alongside Peter Connerton, the Event Director of Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, and Mohamed Sabah Al Khalaf, Chief Information Security Officer at Dubai Holding, who will take part in the 10km race and leading Dubai Holding’s 2,000-strong corporate team at the race.

“Improving the wellbeing of our employees and our communities is a key focus for us and this year we are actively encouraging Emiratis to show their national pride and take part in the Dubai Marathon with our #MyCity_MyRace campaign,” Khalid Al Malik, managing director of Dubai Holding, said.

“There is still time to register and I encourage all Emiratis both male and female and of all fitness levels to be part of this prestigious event.”

Event director Connerton added: “Now in its 21st year, the Dubai Marathon is staged for the city of Dubai and remains the biggest mass participation sporting event in the region."