JEDDAH, 1 March 2005 — With registration closing yesterday, 13,893 runners are set to take part in tomorrow’s 4th Jeddah Charity Marathon (JCM). “The final registered number of runners 13,893 officially makes the JCM 2005 the largest mass running event in the Middle East,” a spokesman for the organizing committee of Jeddah Charity Marathon told Arab News.
The Committee urged participants to collect their Race Numbers/ChampionChip packets, which are being made available today, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Al-Bir Charity Association located in Al-Zahra district.
Talal Idriss, supervisor of the JCM, said that 10,429 including nearly 200 deaf participants have registered for the Saudia 5 km Fun Run, 2,885 more for the Samsung 12 km Challenge and 18 participants for the Wheelchair Race as well as 561 others for the 1 km Disabled Race.
The event’s website has also registered 247 people online. The JCM website had an average of 534 visits per day during February and has received 14,432 hits in total so far.
Idriss urged all participants to be at the Start Area at least 60 minutes before the race and to line up at the Start Line area at least 10 minutes before each race. He also called on all participants to follow carefully the public announcer’s instructions. The 1 km Disabled Race will begin at 9 a.m. (March 2) outside the Al Bir Charity in Al-Zahra district, the Saudia Water 5 km Fun Run starts at 4:15 pm at La Costa, while The Samsung 12 km Challenge starts at 4:20 pm at La Costa. “People arriving late will not be allowed to participate,” Idriss added.
“Runners must attach their running number to the front of their running T-shirt. During the race, this number is the runner’s identification and they must not lose it and make sure to correctly display the number at all times or the runner will be disqualified and asked to remove himself from the course,” he said.
Clear signs will be positioned around the Start area indicating where runners should warm up and line up. The public announcement system will inform runners of the last stages of preparation. The courses of all races run close to each other. Runners must not cross over the central reservation, tapes or metal barriers. Runners must also watch out for the banner indicating the 5 km split. Each kilometer will be clearly marked.
Replacing lost fluid regularly is a must for all runners in any distance. Water stations will be situated along the course. Water and Medical Stations will be clearly marked by signposts 100 meters in advance, he said.
Idriss highlighted the vital role played by the Saudi Red Crescent, which will man medical stations along the race routes with clear signposts. Runners who need help or treatment can proceed to any one of these stations.
He also invited spectators to join in the fun and spend the afternoon supporting all the passing tired runners with a clap or a cheer. However, he warned against entering or crossing any part of the course at any time. He pointed out that spectators are only allowed into the designated public areas at the Start and Finish Area. He requested all runners when crossing the Finish Line to keep moving and follow the Marshals’ instructions.
If a runner feels he cannot or does not wish to continue with his race, the runner should find a Marshal nearest to him and inform the Marshal of his decision and hand him his running number and chip and leave the course through the path indicated by the Marshal.
Withdrawing runners may retrieve their running number at the Al Bir Office after Race Day if they wish. The JCM will host its awards ceremony to be presided by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed at La Costa Resort on Wednesday night.
All information and details about the race, starting points and timings are available on the bilingual website (www.jcm.org.sa). The committee has also dedicated a JCM Hotline on 02 639 1100 to provide information about the event before Race Day.
