It is being organized by the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) as part of an ambitious plan to promote health and comradeship among workers.

Thousands of workers from factories and companies in Saudi Arabia are expected to take part.

“The marathon in Riyadh will be held on Friday at the city’s second industrial area,” said co-organizer Khaled M. Al-Maimani.

The marathon, he said, is a call to the city’s workers to act and contribute to the health and efficiency of Saudi society.

He added that it aims to raise awareness about the various issues plaguing society and urge people to lead by example.

About 90 percent of factories and industrial plants in the Kingdom have been asked to take part.

“Moreover, this event is an attempt to inspire courage to start along the road of development, for a better Saudi Arabia, a better tomorrow and for a better world,” said Modon spokesman Mohammed Al-Hajri.

He said the race is open to both Saudi and expatriate workers.

The registration process for participating in the race is still under way and will last until Thursday for the Riyadh event.

Al-Hajri said that the event was being organized under the leadership of Modon’s Director General Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, in cooperation with various industrial cities and the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation.

Other races will be at Ahsa Industrial City on March 26; Dammam’s Second Industrial City on April 9; Jeddah’s First Industrial City on April 30 and Asir Industrial City on May 21.

“Participation in the race is open to factories with any number of employees,” said Al-Hajri.

He said Modon will award prizes such as laptop computers for the top runners.

There will be an arbitration committee monitoring the runners along the racetrack.

The panel will be composed of officials, experts and personnel from the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation, Saudi Red Crescent Society, Civil Defense and Industrial Safety Centers.

Al-Hajri urged the factories and their workers, including administrative and technical workers, to enroll in the race.

Participation in the marathon is free of charge and Modon will bear the costs of organizing the event, arbitration and awards in cooperation with a number of sponsors.

The sponsors of the event will be honored at a special ceremony at the end of the races.