Ayla Red Sea Half Marathon kicks off

AMMAN — The 11th Ayla Red Sea Half Marathon kicks off on Friday with the participation of thousands of local, regional and international runners.

The event held under the theme “Run for a Cause”, is accredited by the  International Association of Athletics Federations  and consists of three categories: 21km Half Marathon, 10km Fun Run and 4.2km Children’s Race. 

Lina Al Kurd, deputy general manager of Run Jordan told The Jordan Times that the preparations for the biggest event in Aqaba are complete. 

“We have finalised the route for all three races and coordinated all efforts of those involved in the organisation of the event. We are expecting huge crowds from around the world to take part in the event considered the most popular running event at the end of the year,” she said.

 “We have selected a new theme for this year’s event which focuses on doing something good and this will be a kind of support to charities who are working in helping those who need help,” she added.

Run Jordan has established agreements with two major NGO’s in the city of Aqaba namely: The Friends of Autism Society, which helps to support autistic children and their families in the southern region of the Kingdom and the Bride of the South Orphan Society, which offers counselling and educational support for orphans.

According to Kurd, the starting point for the 21km race will be the InterContinental Hotel and the end at Thawra Plaza. The 10km and 4.2km events will start from Ayla towards Thawra Plaza.

“We are also focusing on supporting tourism in the Kingdom as the weather in Aqaba in December is really nice and fit to spend a couple of days there with the family and this is what families usually do. They take advantage of what Aqaba weather has to offer at the end of the year and we are happy that many people are encouraged to support tourism,” she said. 

Last year, Ra’fat Zboun was crowned champion of the 21km race of the men’s category after clocking 1h9m30s, followed by Ayman Suradi (1h11m33s) and Bashar Raheel (1h12m2s).

In the 21km women’s category Sudan’s Hanouya Hasballah came first in 1h16m 24s, followed by Razam Muqbel (1h36m48s) and Samah Najjar (1h38m6s).

In the 21km Wheelchair category, Ali Sawalmeh clocked 1h16m24s, followed by Bilal Bersameh (1h42m49s) and Raed Qasaymeh (2h12m29s).

In the 21km Visually Impaired category Suhail Nashash clocked 1h25m31s, followed by Abed Raouf (1h30m5s).