Busy 2016 season for Run Jordan

AMMAN — Run Jordan, the sole entity dedicated to bringing together different marathon events and races in Jordan under one umbrella, will have a busy season in its 2016 calendar dedicated to spreading awareness regarding the benefits of running in having a healthy lifestyle.

Lina El-Kurd, general manager of Run Jordan, told The Jordan Times that the year 2015 was a success.

“We are looking forward to repeating the success we had in earlier years and develop this sport to a higher level based on the directions of HH Prince Firas, the chairman of the board of Run Jordan,” she said.

“Our focus will be on giving more time to runners to prepare for this season which will start in April with the annual Dead Sea Ultra Marathon which will celebrate its 23rd season and will have the 50km ultra-marathon, 21km half marathon and 10km fun run, in addition to the Children’s Race that is scheduled on April 1,” she added.

Meanwhile, the popular Samsung Amman Marathon is scheduled to be held on October 28th 2016, and will include a 42km marathon, a 21km half marathon and a 10km fun run, in addition to the Children’s Race that is scheduled on October 21. 

“And the end of the season will be celebrated with the Ayla Red Sea Half Marathon scheduled on December 9 and will consist of three categories: 21km, 10km fun run and 4.2km Children’s Race with all the routes run along the beautiful shore of the Red Sea; this race usually gives participants a chance to visit Aqaba and enjoy its fair weather during December,” she said.

Run Jordan adopted a plan to include governorates in its annual strategy in order to spread the word about healthy living.

 “In addition to our annual races, we are strongly moving ahead to various governorates in the Kingdom to spread the 5km and 10km races, in addition to our other programmes, including the Junior Programme, Jordan Runners Programme and the Elite Runners Programme to spread the culture of sports and running among our society and to educate them of the various benefits sports can provide,” she said. 

“Our Moto “Run for a Cause” continues to be a major motivator to create effective partnerships with NGOs and other organisations as we share the common goal of giving back to our society,” she stated.

Last year, Run Jordan 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.

In April 2015, Run Jordan organised the 1st Irbid Marathon which witnessed the participation of thousands of runners.