Abu Dhabi, Dec. 15th, 2009 (WAM) -- The Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi will organize the annual "Zayed International Half Marathon 2010" on the seventh of January next year at Yas Island circuit in Abu Dhabi.

This comes in implementation to instructions of General HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the support of HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, President of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and with the agreement of HE Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council will oversee the arrangements for the race and highlight the sporting event which is in loyalty to the founder-leader, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a contribution to honor his memory.

People who will participate in the 21.5 km race are professionals and amateurs categories of various age groups of men, women, children, and students from all over the UAE in addition to the participation of people with special needs "Wheelchairs" besides the open race which will be attended by various institutions, bodies, companies and departments.

This was announced during a press conference of Higher Organizing Committee yesterday in the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi, by retired Lt. General Mohammed Hilal Surour Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Club. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Director of Abu Dhabi Educational Zone and representative of Abu Dhabi Education Council was also present.

The Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee for the race, made public details of the event, contributors, sponsors and prizes that are estimated at AED 10 million for the first ten winners. The registration for race will start from Dec. 23, and will continue until fifth of January, 2010, in the Armed Forces Officers Club, Marina Mall and Mall of the Emirates.

He noted that the Supreme Committee, at its last meeting, reviewed the arrangements for the race after viewing the report of the technical committee responsible for the technical preparation for the race which had conducted a comprehensive survey of the race track in coordination with the operational, technical and security bodies that will contribute in organizing it, secure technical reports and the requirements of the next phase to prepare early for the organization of the event in its new location after fixing the deadline in coordination with the programs of the International Association of Athletics Federations and contributions of celebrities at the event to ensure the greater involvement of world heroes to promote the race.

He said that the Committee has prepared a comprehensive plan for media coverage in coordination with Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, various satellite channels, local televisions, Arabic, international and global agencies besides launching a website for the Zayed International Half Marathon 2010.

He also explained that the organizing committee entrusted organizing the race for the International company "Rodraner" specialized in holding these events, which recently celebrated the golden jubilee of its founding and which contributes annually in organizing "New York" Marathon and the annual Zayed Charity Marathon in New York, as well as weekly road races and suburb races which includes in its membership of 300 thousand racers around the world.

A number of programs associated with the race will be prepared, such as, lyrical passages with a selection of UAE singers besides events that reflect the authenticity of heritage and history of the UAE, with valuable prizes for the audience.

The race categories include the main race of professionals, the race of citizens, and the open race for 6 kilometers in addition to the runners above 50 year old for a distance of 6 kilometers. The organizing committee identified the race of students between the ages of 10 and 15 years for 3 kilometers and special needs race for 6 kilometers.

Mohammed Ali Amer, Coordinator of the race said that the race will feature top racers in the world, led by Kenyan Samuel Camillo, International Champion, recorded a time of 58.33 , winning the title of the Beijing Olympic Games and many titles for road races in the world and Patrick Macau, and the Dutch Orana Kpljat, who won the Zayed International Marathon in Abu Dhabi as well as the Kenyan-Marie and a number of world champions.

AL Dhaheri expected that 20 thousand students of various educational institutions will participate in the race this year.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2009.