Sunday, Jan 17, 2010

Gulf News

Dubai The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has grown in popularity around the world over the years. This event, which was organised for the first time on November 27, 1997 with just 150 runners, is now set to break an all time record for the highest number of participants.

Ahmad Al Kamali, General Co-ordinator of the Dubai Marathon and President of the UAE Athletics Federation, has played a pivotal role in its success from the inception visualising that this event will one day emerge as one of the most popular marathons in the world.

Al Kamali spoke at length to Gulf News on how he has gone about the task of building this marathon into one of the most eagerly awaited events in UAE's sporting calendar.

GULF NEWS: At a time when the pressure of recession has hit supporters of many sports how have you managed to put it all together for the Dubai Marathon?

AL KAMALI: Dubai Marathon is today one of the most popular sports events. It is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Over the years we have been able to attract sporting world's attention to Dubai during this event. We have ensured that the elite runners take part every year providing them with the best of facilities including putting them up in the best hotels. We ensure that our facilities are better every year so that the name and fame of Dubai Marathon spreads far and wide. So we had no problems to organise it again. Our biggest advantage is the support we receive from the Dubai Government, Dubai Holding and all departments in Dubai such as Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Ministry of Health, Dubai Police, UAE Athletics Federation and banks like Standard Chartered and many companies. Today our marathon is a city show of which everyone can be proud. Incidentally, all our sponsors have signed up with us for the next three years.

What do you think has contributed to the growing popularity of Dubai Marathon every year?

People have realised the importance of running to keep fit. Today many runners focus on Dubai Marathon as the focal point. Not many people can go to play golf or horse jumping and all that is needed for running is a pair of shoes and get onto the road and run. We also learned a lot over the years, listening carefully to comments on the drawbacks of our event. Instead of closing the doors on those comments we made sure to go and rectify it and make every participant happy. Moreover, not many marathons in the world can afford to give away one million dollars for the winner plus another one million as bonus for breaking the world record. So, if any runner wants to end his career on a strong note this is the marathon to take part.

Do you feel that Dubai Marathon has helped spread awareness on running?

The increase in the number of participants is the best example on the impact it has on running. This year we will cross the 2,000 mark in the marathon event and over 1,000 runners are registered from UAE. The 10k race has also seen a huge increase and so is the 3k race. Interestingly, many runners have been inspired by seeing the legend Haile Gebrselassie during the last two years. We have also worked hard with Arabic media to attract UAE nationals. Interestingly even women are now taking part and we had discussions with seven ladies associations regarding participation in the event.

Has there been an increase in running clubs in the UAE?

Yes, Creek Striders is one of the main running clubs and they have about 1,000 runners and almost all have registered in marathon and 10k events. Over the years many clubs have come up. Many athletics centres in Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hasan are gearing up for the event. About 160 runners from Dubai Handicap will take part. Interestingly, some companies register all their employees. The Dubai Holding's 1,400 employees will be running this year.

Are you happy with the response the event has received from international runners?

We have some of the best runners' managers like Federico Rossa bringing in runners from around the world. They have been regularly calling us to include runners and this time we might see over 1,000 runners taking part from abroad. Lately, a few families from South Africa, Germany and United Kingdom too take part in the event. We have come a long way during the last 13 years. When the marathon was organised for the first time on November 27, 1997 we had just 150 runners with prize money of just Dh50,000 and this year we may see close to 15,000 runners taking part in three events.

Do you think the Dubai Marathon has made an impact on UAE athletes and has it helped the sport?

The UAE Athletics Federation is actively involved in the event. Some of them from the federation are our board members. Nearly 21 clubs in the UAE and three sporting centres are helping us by providing marshals during the event. We will also provide some income from the marathon to the development of athletes in the UAE. The support of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the RTA, and Mohammad Al Gergawi of Dubai Holding have played a huge role in organising an event of such magnitude in which over 40,000 turn up not only as participants but also as marshals and spectators. This has attracted many to take up athletics over the years.

By K.R. Nayar

Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.