Winners from each of the three categories were awarded. Basam Abdu Ibrahim was the winner in the special needs category. In the under-18 section, Soloman Deksisa Gonfa, an Ethiopian, bagged the first position. The main race was won by Tola Bane Edea, also an Ethiopian.

The prince also honored the sponsors of the event, namely Mobily and Nesma. Al-Madinah newspaper, MBC, Red Sea Mall, GoSport, Bakhashab Brothers Holding Co. and AIM were the other sponsors. Prince Mishaal said that the success of marathon was heartening. “It’s going to be an international event in the near future.”

Mazen Batterjee, chairman of Al-Birr Charitable Society said: “From next year, we want this to be a race based on international standards. We will increase the distance over the next three years.” He was extremely pleased with the success of the marathon. “It’s encouraging to see such a tremendous response,” he added.

The marathon attracted participants from a number of nationalities residing in Jeddah. Besides Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, the winners included runners from Ethiopia, Eritrea, France, Nigeria and Chad. There were 15 winners in the 15 km race and nine in the 5 km for the under-18s. The third race was for the people with special needs, which was classified into four different categories.

Saudi rally champion and chairman of the organizing committee Abdullah Bakhshab said: “The marathon committee is encouraging everyone to participate in order to support charity work.”

Batterjee said: “This project is a charitable and cooperative effort involving young people, teachers and students. Our main aim is to support charity through sports.”

“Prince Mishaal asked us to extend the function for one week,” said Bakhashab. “He asked for more running lanes and for the finish line to be at the Red Sea Mall where the awards ceremony would be held. With an increase in competitors from 20 countries, the race distance would also be increased.” Other plans for the 2011 Jeddah-Mobily Marathon included a running race for children under the age of six, to be held inside the Red Sea Mall.”

Some international athletes were among 6, 000 runners that joined the Marathon on Tuesday. Over 1, 000 spectators lined up to watch the competitors in the 8th edition of the marathon.

This year’s run started from the Tahlia roundabout on the Corniche and headed to the Globe roundabout.

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. The organizers said they were pleased how the marathon was held and hoped it would be even more successful in future.