Mazen Batterjee, chairman of Al-Birr Charitable Society, and Abdullah Bakhashab, Saudi rally champ and chief of the organizing committee, announced this at a joint press meet organized by Al-Birr Charitable Society in Jeddah recently.

This was attended by Wael Ghonaim, Mobily marketing and sports events manager (main sponsor), Hani Turki, general manager of the social responsibility section of Nesma Holding Company (diamond sponsor) and Mohammed Al-Olawy, Red Sea Executive director (golden sponsor).

Batterjee said: “Over 5,000 students will also take part along with some local and Saudi athletes. Proceeds from the marathon will be allocated to support Al-Birr’s benevolent projects,” Batterjee added.

This eighth edition of the race is moving toward more international participation which will contribute toward making the competition more developed and of a higher standard,” said Bakhashab. He also said, that there will be new international norms which provide different routes according to the groups.

Attractive prizes will be awarded to the winners, which include a Citroen C3 car for every category winner (professionals and students) and cash prizes for the first15 winners of each group. Gold medals will also be awarded to each participant completing the race. The total sum of the prizes will exceed SR250, 000.

More than 5,000 runners will start this year’s Mobily Marathon in Jeddah, including international runners from Arab and African countries along with hundreds of athletes with special needs.

Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, will attend the ceremony. Also in attendance will be Mazen Batterjee.

This year’s course will commence at the Tahlia roundabout on the Corniche Road and proceed northward along the Corniche to the Globe roundabout before heading south to the finish line near the entrance to the Red Sea Mall on King’s Road.

Categories other than the main event include the under-18s, the six-km roller skate race, the three-km wheelchair race for persons with special needs, and the 500-meter race for autistic persons, which will take place on King’s Road.

The marathon will begin in stages. Those with special needs will run from the Corniche starting point at 4:20 p.m. for three km. Those aged 18 and under will start at 4:45 p.m. for six kms. Finally at 5:15 p.m.

The main event of 20 km will go for 20 km on the Mobily path from Al-Tahlia Square at the Corniche to the finishing point for all runners near the Red Sea Mall.

Bakhashab said the activities will be different from previous years because of the greater number of participants, more international runners and athletes from the Saudi national athletics team. The participation of those with special needs will enhance the charitable purpose of the marathon.

This year’s Jeddah Mobily Marathon will be held with a slightly altered course.

Events held in tandem with the marathon include the Mobily Bazaar, held over five days at the Red Sea Mall with the involvement of health clubs and sports organizations.

The other sponsors include, GO Sport (silver sponsor) and media sponsors MBC and Al Madinah newspapers, in addition to Isuzu Brothers Holding Company and AIM PR Agency.