The UAE’s Asian Games 10,000m gold medallist Alia Mohammed Saeed won the 2014 Dubai Holding Women’s Run 10k race while compatriot Betlhem Desalegn Belayneh triumphed in the 5k event at Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai on Friday.
The event, held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), saw Saeed complete the 10k distance in a time of 35 minutes 25 seconds.
Sentayehu Getachew of Ethiopia and Esma Aydemir of Turkey finished in second and third place in times of 35:41 and 35:52, respectively. In the 5K category, Belayneh clocked 17:10 while Serbia’s Biljana Cvijanovic and Ethiopian Ajeba Batukan completed the podium in second and third place, in times of 17:24 and 17:44.
Dubai Holding sponsored cash prizes totalling Dh90,000 for the 10 fastest runners in the 10k and 5k general category and for the three fastest Emirati runners in both categories.
Dubai Holding vice president for strategy Khalfan Belhoul, who presented the prizes, said: “We are especially proud to see Emirati runners finish fastest in both categories.
“Such a large turnout of women is very encouraging as the race gains international momentum.
“I want to congratulate all participants and very much look forward to next year’s event.”
UAE’s Alia Saeed tells me she had only run the 10K a couple of times in competition b4 she won gold @ the Asian Games http://t.co/c0i2QWih5C
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) November 6, 2014
Dubai Holding Women’s Run chairman Ahmad Al Kamali added: “I am pleased to see so many elite international runners competing for the title.
“This race has carved a place for itself on the international circuit and we aim to see more runners from abroad in the coming years, as well as an increase in participation from UAE nationals and residents.
“I want to thank all those involved in the planning and organisation, and applaud all participants for joining us here today.”
Official telecom partner du also sponsored prizes for the top three winners in both categories in the form of vouchers worth up to Dh3,000, redeemable against smart phones and tablets. Winners were also awarded certificates of participation to encourage them to continue their fitness regime.
The telecom firm also sponsored a prize for the last woman to cross the finish line and encouraged participants to track their fitness through the du Wellness App during the race.
Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, du, Hala Badri said: “We are proud to support the Dubai Holding Women’s Run as Official Telco Partner, to motivate women to continue, or even to embark upon their fitness journey.”
“We aim to see more runners from abroad in the coming years”
Click here for the full results of the Dubai Holding Women’s Run
