Jumeirah International commits over 250 runners to Hotel Challenge
Standard Chartered Bank, one of the top three foreign banks operating in the UAE and title sponsor of the Dubai Marathon 2005, has revealed that major prizes will be awarded in six special challenge categories in the event's 10 kilometre discipline. The 10km race has already attracted strong support from Dubai's businesses, schools and individuals.
The new challenge categories announced by Standard Chartered include the Corporate Challenge, Hotel Challenge, Schools and College Challenge, Bank Challenge, Government Challenge and a Group Open Challenge for anyone who sets up a team with friends and colleagues.
The bank has also introduced a Standard Chartered Suppliers Challenge as a sub-section of the Corporate Challenge.
So far, world class international hotel and hospitality company Jumeirah International has registered over 250 runners in the Hotel Challenge and Al Reyami Office Furnishing & General Trading has committed 150 runners for the Standard Chartered Suppliers Challenge.
The Commercial Bank of Dubai, Bank Sadarat Iran, Bank Melli Iran and Lloyds TSB have signed up teams for the Bank Challenge which will see Standard Chartered's team led by Chief Executive Officer, Ray Ferguson.
Ferguson said: "The special Challenge categories give businesses and organisations the opportunity to get involved in team building through training sessions in the run-up to the race.
"Standard Chartered plays a positive role within the community and as title sponsors of the Dubai Marathon 2005 we see our involvement as important in improving health and fitness in the UAE in line with our 'Leading the Way' initiative."
There will be prizes for the largest entry in each category and the first three teams, based on the finishing time of the five fastest runners, will also be rewarded.
There will also be prizes for the overall first three male and female runners to complete the course.
The road race, on Friday January 7, will begin at 7.30am with runners expected to wear team shirts for easy identification. Teams have to have a minimum of five members.
Peter Connerton, Race Organiser, added: "The challenge categories are proving very popular as they allow people to get behind their team, whether as a runner or spectator. This not only encourages people to get fit but also but also gives a focus for the individual teams to compete directly with similar organisations and businesses."
Registration forms for those taking part in the race should be submitted in one envelope, and the group name and category noted on each entry. Forms are available online at www.dubaimarathon.org.
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Notes to Editors
Standard Chartered - leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East
Standard Chartered employs 30,000 people in over 500 locations in more than 50 countries in the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the United Kingdom and the Americas. It is one of the world's most international banks, with a management team comprising 70 nationalities.
Standard Chartered is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is in the top 25 FTSE-100 companies, by market capitalisation.
It serves both Consumer and Wholesale Banking customers. Consumer Banking provides credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, deposit taking and wealth management services to individuals and small to medium sized enterprises. Wholesale Banking provides corporate and institutional clients with services in trade finance, cash management, lending, security services, foreign exchange, debt capital markets and corporate finance.
Standard Chartered is well-established in growth markets and aims to be the right partner for its customers. The Bank combines deep local knowledge with global capability.
The Bank is trusted across its network for its standard of governance and its commitment to making a difference in the communities in which it operates.
For further information please contact:
Niall McLoughlin
Head of Corporate Affairs,
Standard Chartered Bank
Tel: +971 (0) 4 5070467
Fax: +971 (0) 4 3594174
Mobile: +971 (0) 50 6251329
Email : niall.mcloughlin@ae.standardchartered.com
Or
Robin Duff, MCS/Action,
PO Box 20970, Dubai
t: +971 4 3902960
f: +971 4 3908161
e: robin.d@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2004
