Mark January 27 on your calendars and get set to experience the high voltage ‘Muscat Marathon’, which is all set to register a record number of entries, with more than 900 runners already in the list. This is a marked increase on previous entries and a giant leap forward in the plan to position the event in the top league of international marathons.
It will feature three event distances: the marathon, half-marathon and a 10km run, with routes for all three expected to be announced shortly.
Among the current field of runners is Iceland’s Asta Parker, winner of the Women’s Marathon for several years who also completed the 165km Oman Desert Marathon in Wahiba last month. Last year, Parker completed the course in three hours and 16 minutes to take the female winners medal with British runner Charlotte Plouvier finishing second in the Women’s category.
The women’s contingent in 2017 is set to be a strong one with Jane Hodgson, who came 2nd in the Super Veterans Marathon this year and Helen Graham also in contention. Helen came 3rd in the Veterans Marathon in 2016.
Young Omani runner Sami Alsaidi, 23, was the overall winner and the winner of the men’s event, but among the 2017 contenders, Robert Ambrose, who finished second in the Super Veterans Marathon and Nick Conlan, second placed in this year’s half marathon, are likely to attract attention in the men’s classes as two of the highest profile runners in the region.
Now in its sixth year, the race has grown steadily in popularity with around 600 runners, including 54 overseas participants, competing on a route around the Sultanate’s capital city earlier this year in January.
The Muscat Road Runners’ move to team up with Oman Sail as joint organisers and sponsors Al Mouj earlier this year, is designed to expand the Marathon’s potential by appealing to a larger regional and international audience, and tap into a flourishing international marathon circuit. Horizon Fitness has come on board as official fitness partner, providing participants with Al Mouj Muscat Marathon Workout Tour at Sultan Qaboos Stadium, every Friday, until January 13.
Every competitor in the race will receive a finisher’s medal and for each category there will be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd trophy, for which prize money will be available. All participants will receive a bib and technical shirt during Registration on Thursday 26 January 2017, 16:30-20:30.
