Record-breaking 2018 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon a big success with international athletes

Also taking part was Belgian runner Edwige Van Den Assem, who at 73 was the oldest athlete competing in the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon festival of running. “I may be the oldest runner here but I don’t feel it – running makes me feel 10 years younger, gives me a lot of social contacts and I aim to keep on doing it.

I like running because it keeps me healthy and I am a very active woman,” said Edwige, who only took up running when she retired 10 years ago. “I will be 74 in December and hopefully will be back to run the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon again next year. I have just bought new running shoes, so I won’t be hanging them up any time soon!

” The prize-giving was held following racing with guest of honour His Highness Sayed Mohammed bin Salim bin Ali Al Said, ambassador and chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate. David Graham, CEO of event organiser Oman Sail, said: “Great congratulations are due to all the runners who competed in – and completed - this year’s Al Mouj Muscat Marathon festival of running.

“We were especially thrilled with the diversity of nationalities taking part and the enormous interest that we’ve seen from people of all ages and ability to participate in what is now a truly international event. “The Al Mouj Muscat Marathon has proven to be an excellent platform to get people active and to promote the Sultanate of Oman as the ultimate adventure tourism destination. We are on the right path and look forward to working with our partners to grow the event further in 2019.”

The seventh edition of the Muscat Marathon saw a record-breaking number of 6094 entries across all race categories with runners from 87 countries including India, Britain, the Philippines, France, South Africa and the US. In the run-up to the festival world running’s international governing body AIMS – the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races – formally recognised the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon for the first time.

Driven by Tanfeedh and organised by Oman Sail, the Oman Athletic Association (OAA) and the Muscat Road Runners, and with the active support of title sponsor Al Mouj Muscat, official partners Carrefour, BP, Aquafina and Topfruit, and official suppliers Omantel, The Wellness Centre and DB Schenker, the event has gone from strength to strength to become the highlight of the Oman sporting calendar. Yesterday, an extraordinary 2374 children – aged from seven to 12 years-old – took part in the Kids’ Run. Dozens of schools took part, with the Al Seeb International School winning the Most Active School in Oman trophy and 1000 OMR in gym equipment.