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Dubai Holding announced the highest number of Emirati participants in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon since the introduction of the UAE National Prize Category in 2011. Over the previous 9 years, Emirati participation has multiplied by 325% with the 2020 marathon not only seeing the huge number of Emiratis taking part but also record times for UAE Nationals in the citys signature fitness event.

This year, the companys #MyCity_MyRace campaign that called on all male and female Emiratis to participate, inspired 30% more UAE Nationals to take part in all categories versus 2019. The most massive increase was in the 10km which noticed Emirati participation increase by an incredible 61% compared with previous year. The 10km was a most important focus for the Dubai Holding campaign as it encourages mass participation of all fitness levels. This year also witnessed the return of a UAE National who participated in the wheel chair category for the third consecutive year.

In celebration of UAE National success in the Dubai Marathon, Dubai Holding will award a prize fund of AED 86,000 to the top three male and female Emirati winners from each category.

Khalid Al Malik, Managing Director of Dubai Holding, commented: It is great to see how the Emirati community has responded to our campaign and proudly come together with the UAE National athletes to represent the country in this massive event. This years results and specifically both the remarkable 61% increase of fellow UAE Nationals taking part in the 10km and the Emirati records broken in this event showcases the collaborative effort among all government and semi-government entities, UAE national athletes, local running clubs and the Emirati community. It is inspiring to witness the young generations passion in supporting our leaderships vision that nothing is impossible and that we ought to try to be successful in each and every sector, which includes sports.

Testomonials from Emirati participants:

Abdulrahman Alhosani, 34, member of the UAE Triathlon Association said: I am representing the UAE triathlon crew in this event and its my fifth time taking part in the Dubai Marathon. I am proud to support the #MyCity_MyRace campaign and see many of my fellow Emirati athletes and runners, both male and female taking part today. I am also delighted that I broke my own personal record this year coming in at 3 hours, 5 minutes in the 42km, shaving 2 minutes off my previous best. Last year was a massive year for me, taking part in a predominant Triathlon in Argentina and qualifying for the Iron Man Championship in New Zealand however I constantly love taking part in events here in the UAE.

Obaid Mohamed Al Nuaeimi, 37, UAE National Running Club and the 2019s Emirati runner-up of the 10km said: Ive been taking part in the Dubai Marathon for a number of years and have been successful twice as the Emirati winner of the 10km. I have trained for this 10km all year, running alongside over thirty Emiratis every day as part of the UAE National Running Club. This year, Im delighted that all the training has paid off and I have broken my own personal best for the race. Im proud to have seen more Emirati participants than ever before and specially an increase in the range of women taking part and I suppose the #MyCity_MyRace campaign has clearly contributed to that. I hope upcoming years well see even more Emiratis of all ages and fitness stages get involved.

Abdulla Yousef Alblooshi, 42, Founder of Desert Shield Team said: We feel its necessary for Emiratis to take part in sports activities, to be more active in their communities and to represent their country with pride. #MyCity_MyRace campaign says it all in a simple and stunning way and it puts the duty on us Emiratis to get concerned in the citys well-being initiatives. Four years ago, I was training with a team of friends and we have been stimulated to create a community crew in the UAE specializing in obstacle racing, running and promoting an energetic way of life - the Desert Shield Team was born. Today we are very proud to be representing #MyCity_MyRace, taking part in the Dubai Marathon and sending out the message that sports activities is an integral part of our city and the UAE as a whole.

Mohammad Albalooshi, 26, Head Coach at Obstacle Course Racing Nation (OCR), said: Being an Emirati, it offers me an extremely good sense of success and pride to take part in an event hosted by my city. Our ethos as a running club is aligned with Dubai Holdings commitment to community wellness, we firmly trust in the message behind #MyCity_MyRace and will continue to support the drive to actively motivate more Emiratis to take part in the citys sporting initiatives.

AbeerAlkhaja, 30, Co- Founder of Ana Gow Running Club and Events Manager at Dubai Sports Council said, Ive started out preparing for the Dubai Marathon four months ago. As a face of the #MyCity_MyRace campaign, I was inspired to challenge more of my friends and the wider community of Emirati ladies to participate in this event and I think its great that Dubai Holding are championing young Emiratis to be part of these historic events in our city. I was inspired by women like Sara Alulama and Meera AlFalasi who were running the Marathon (42km) and I will really be looking to get involved in more events throughout Dubais sporting calendar from here on.

Nahla Al Fahad, UAE Film and Content Director at Expo 2020 said: This is my first time to participate and I am very proud to be part of this wonderful event. Such Marathons have become an integral part of Emiratis way of life and Dubais official sports calendar. Our smart leadership, official bodies and government entities are eager on encouraging the participation of Emiratis and I have considered a massive number of UAE Nationals from distinct government entities to represent our country in Dubais official marathon.

Khalid Walid Ali, 21, Emirati Runner said: As a young Emirati, I have been taking part in the Dubai Marathon as part of a crew of 15 UAE National runners since I was 18 years old. I have been challenged by my friends to achieve and win in sports and turning into part of a professional club has helped me with my goal to emerge as a professional athlete.

Adil Mohamed Alnuaimi, 40, member of the UAE Athletes Federation and ex footballer said: Its my first time taking part in the Dubai Marathon. Previously, I was enjoying soccer for the Ajman and Fujairah National Club teams from 2000 2017. Even though Im now forty Im still aiming to be one of the Emirati winners of the 10km category.

Further showcasing its dedication to this globally renowned marathon, Dubai Holding fielded the biggest corporate team for the twelfth consecutive year, with more than 2000 employees taking part. A group from throughout the group representing multiple nationalities, both genders and distinctive fitness levels, consisting of Jumeirah Group, TECOM Group, Dubai Properties, Dubai Asset Management, Arab Media Group (AMG), Dubai Retail and Dubai Holdings Corporate Office, successfully done different categories in the Marathon.

Dubai Holding launched #MyCity_MyRace to actively motivate UAE Nationals to exhibit their national pride and be part of the countrys elite runners to take part in the 10km, 42km or Wheel Chair categories. This initiative was launched to complement the Dubai Holding UAE National Prize category, a dedicated platform hooked up in 2011 to recognize Emirati sporting accomplishments in the Dubai Marathon and motivate participation.

Dubai Marathon is the biggest mass-participation sports event in the region, with the number of participants accomplishing more than 30,000. Dubai Holding is one of the founding sponsors as part of its wider fitness programme launched in 2007.

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