Now in its 8th year, the Sangcom Half-Marathon and Fun Run sponsored by ABTSS just keeps getting bigger and bigger with this year’s edition smashing previous records for numbers of runners taking part and raising a record amount of over SR90,000 for the Disabled Children’s Association of Saudi Arabia.

Held last Friday, 283 runners entered the event, a record for a Riyadh road race in recent years. The start line was a true spectacle with runners from over 35 countries creating a real party atmosphere as the more serious half-marathon runners lined up next to some of the younger participants taking part in the Fun-Run, many of them in fancy dress costume in the hope of winning a meal for two at the Sheraton or a SR300 voucher from Joy Chocolates.

The party atmosphere didn’t detract from the fireworks going off at the front of the half-marathon field as Mo Foustok set a cracking pace with last year’s winner, Ben Psaila, and Dubai based triathlete Ken Heney desperately trying to keep him in sight. However, by the end of the first lap, it was clear that Foustok was in a class of his own leaving Heney and Psaila to battle it out for 2nd place. Behind them, a strong field of 8 runners were vying for 4th place, including the leading over 50 runner, Jean-Pierre Berthiaux, and the leading lady, Anna-Marie Watson.

While the half-marathon runners completed their 6 laps of Salwa, attention turned to who was going to take home the prizes in the Fun Run. Ultimately it was David Hobbs and Bethan Thomas who sprinted for home, with Hobbs just pipping Thomas to first place. Behind them Ellie Watts (in a camel costume!) took the ladies’ Open Fun Run category while the time keepers struggled to keep a tab on the countless children who joined in the fun.

Meantime, Foustok was building an unassailable lead as Ken Heney was maintaining a consistent pace of just under 4min per km to edge away from Psaila who was consigned to consolidating 3rd place. Behind them Japanese runner Masato Hirakawa, who had travelled especially from Jeddah, overshadowed a large bunch of Riyadh locals to secure 4th place.

Foustok, despite slowing to encourage other runners on his way round and finishing a few minutes slower than his course record, still took home 1st place and the SR250 Diadora voucher from SportZone in a time of 1:20:11.

Behind him Heney picked up the SR100 Diadora voucher for 2nd place in a time of 1:22:52 as last year’s winner Psaila had to settle for third.

In the ladies’ category, Watson, who completed the Dubai Marathon only a couple of weeks ago and is preparing for the Marathon des Sables in April, set the pace ahead of Claudine Roghi and Naomi Gordon. Watson looked set to break her own course record, but after slowing slightly towards the end she finished in a time of 1:32:23, just six seconds outside of the record she set last year. Claire Watts dominated the Over 50s ladies’ event finishing a very impressive 61st place overall out of 103 finishers.

The Sangcom Project Team would like to thank all those who helped make this event a success, among them the main sponsor ABTSS, ITEA International, BTC, Airbus, Marsh, the Caledonian Society and the host for the day BAE Systems.

Category winners:

Men’s Open Half-Marathon:

1st – Mohamed Foustok – 1:20:11

2nd Kenneth Heney – 1:22:52

3rd – Ben Psaila – 1:24:15

Ladies’ Open Half-Marathon:

1st – Anna-Marie Watson – 1:32:23

2nd – Claudine Roghi – 1:40:41

3rd – Naomi Gordon – 1:46:17

Men’s Over 50 Half Marathon:

1st – Jean Pierre Berthiaux – 1:32:50

Ladies’ Over 50 Half Marathon:

1st – Claire Watts – 2:06:11