An estimated 7,000 runners participated yesterday in the annual Mobily marathon at the Corniche.

Although event organizers expected more adults to run the full 21-kilometer race, more than 5,000 students age 18 and younger participated in 6 kilometer run. The race also featured 70 disabled participants who covered 3 kilos.

Khalid Ibrahim Fadal, director of Student Education Projects for Mobily, said he expected 3,000 runners for the adult 21-kilo version of the race, but only 1,400 arrived at the starting line.

The marathon began in front of the Sheraton Resorts at the Corniche and finished at the Marine Science Institute roundabout.

First prize winners in the 21-, 6- and 3-kilometer categories will receive a car and trophy. Second place finishers in each category will receive SR 15,000 and an iPhone 5. Third place winners will take home SR 10,000 and an iPhone 5.

The winners were scheduled to be announced today.

The marathon was organized by Al-Bir Charitable Society in association with Mobily.

The event marked the fifth year of the marathon. The enthusiasm among participants was high, said Abdullah Bakhshab, head of the organizing committee.

“The marathon has become one of the most prominent seasonal activities of the Al-Bir Society and was the most attended sporting event in Jeddah,” said Bakhshab.

According to Bakhshab, different sections of society will be catered for in the race.

Every year people from different parts of the Kingdom participated in the marathon including Saudi champions who have won regional and international prizes. The race also included athletes from other countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Ethiopia, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates.