This year's run started from the Tahlia roundabout on the Corniche and headed to the Globe roundabout and then south to the finish line near the entrance to the Red Sea Mall on King's Road.

Categories other than the main event included the Under-18, the 6-km roller skate race, the 3 km wheelchair race for persons with special needs and the 500-meter race for autistic persons, which were all held on King's Road.

The marathon started in stages. Those with special needs ran from the starting point at 4:20 p.m. for 3 km, those aged 18 and under started at 4:45 p.m. for 6 km, and finally professional runners kicked off their 20 km run at 5:15 p.m. along the Mobily path from Tahlia Square. The finishing point for all runners was the Red Sea Mall.

"I hope Al-Birr's race brings more attention to people with paraplegia. For someone to be a paraplegic and be able to cover the distance I think it says a lot," said a 22-year-old paraplegic who took part in the event.

The race was thoroughly international. Fifty-year-old racer who finished the race in 1.02 hrs., said: "This race was great for my health. It's the third time I have run this race. It's well organized and the security was very good. I'm glad to be part of it."

Another runner was taking part in the race for the fourth time. He completed it in an hour.

Abdullah Bakhashab, Saudi rally champion and chairman of the organizing committee, said he was pleased how the marathon was held and hoped it would be even more successful in future. Al-Birr and Nesma company sponsored the race.