The annual global corporate relay series, the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, is returning to Dubai for its fifth year on February 12, hosted in front of the iconic Gate Building in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The 2019 event sold-out with over 1,000 runners from Dubai’s biggest firms taking on the one-mile course and raised over AED 123,000 for the charity partner Emirates Red Crescent.
Designed to promote team-building, a healthy work-life balance and bonding between colleagues; the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay helps spread the importance of being active for employees working in corporate entities across Dubai, with the proceeds donated to charity.
Taking place in 12 financial districts across the world – Sydney, Mumbai, New York, Tokyo, San Francisco, London, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing and Dubai – the relay has become a key event in the cities where the race takes place, and Dubai is no different.
Headline sponsor Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, has supported the event since it began in London’s business district in 2007 and has extended their headline partnership of the global series up to 2025.
Each team of 10 participants will battle it out on an exciting one-mile lap through the DIFC. Over 1,000 runners from several companies including HSBC, Barclays, Knight Frank and J.P. Morgan will compete to be the ‘Fastest Firm in the City’.
The team with the shortest cumulative time for ten one-mile (1.6km) laps will be crowned champion. Recognition is also given to the ‘Fastest Mixed Team’ and last year saw the introduction of the ‘Fastest All-Female Team’ award which was won by the Barclays Ladies Team in 2019.
The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is proud to continue the great work achieved by The Extra Mile, a community-led initiative which raised over US$300,000 globally, with AED123,000 donated to Emirates Red Crescent in Dubai who are now helping to renovate and maintain school buildings for low-income nationals throughout the UAE.
James Hassett, Managing Director of the event organiser Square Mile Sport, said: “We are excited to launch the 2020 Series in Dubai next month, a race that made it into the Top 10 of Dubai Sports Council’s Sports Events Ranking System, confirming the race’s status as one of the best events in the city!
“We are proud to bring our race back to Dubai for its fifth year and hope to showcase the spirit of the event to lots of new runners this year, as well as welcoming back our regular teams.”
Once runners have completed their lap, they can enjoy first-class hospitality, including complimentary food and soft drinks in the Race Village as part of their entry fee.
Friends, family and supporters will be invited to the popular post-event party with music, food, beverages and entertainment, making it an evening to remember.
The 2020 global series will also be single-use plastic-free on the race nights to do its part in creating awareness about the environmental impacts of plastic.
Teams can enter for AED6,400 + VAT per team, with 25% of every team entry fee donated to The Extra Mile programme.
Every runner will receive one main meal, one dessert, three drinks, one finisher t-shirt and medal, as well as access to the official after-party.
Organisers are urging all companies who want to be part of this one-of-a-kind team building experience to sign up quickly to guarantee their spot.
For further information on the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay or to enter a team please visit the website: www.squaremilerelay.com/dubai
