Walking
Events

Region’s Fastest Half Marathon to Return on February 1, 2025. Early Registration for Rak Half Marathon: Worlds Marathon and Ahotu Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 15 July 2024: Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will return for its 18th edition on Saturday 1 February 2025, with four races staged on Al Marjan Island. Hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is a firm favourite attracting community runners and international elites alike. Featuring the 21.1km half marathon race, the event will also offer races at 10km, 5km and 2km runs for athletes of all ages and abilities. Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “We are excited to announce the return of one of the most highly anticipated global sporting events in the Nature Emirate for the 18th year. The race never fails to produce world-class champions and we look forward once again to welcoming back an incredible line-up of elite athletes, sporting enthusiasts and tourists from across the globe”. With the registration process now open, front runners can take advantage of the event’s early registration promotion, secure their places on the start line and enjoy special entry fees until September 30. The early registration fee for the Half Marathon itself is USD50 (AED185) with the 10km, 5km and 2km Road Races costing USD30 (AED110), USD20 (AED74) and USD10 (AED37) respectively. “With six months to go, we are pleased to be able to launch an early registration promotion for those runners who want to secure their places in the race of their choice,” said Peter Connerton, Managing Director of Pace Events and Race Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. “The running community will have over three months to take advantage of the Early Registration Promotion before prices revert on October 1, and we look forward to welcoming early registrations from regular runners as well as from those keen to test themselves for the first time on the fast and flat roads of Al Marjan Island.” In February, Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko and Tsigie Gebreselama of Ethiopia took the men and women’s titles in the 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, which to date leads World Athletics’ Competition Performance Rankings for half marathons staged anywhere in the world in 2024. Making his third appearance in Ras Al Khaimah, Mateiko stormed home in a time of 58:45 to win by five seconds from compatriot John Korir with fellow Kenyan Isaia Lasoi in third. In the women’s 21.1km race, Ethiopian Gebreselama smashed her personal best by more than 30 seconds to win in 65:14 from 2020 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon champion Ababel Yeshaneh also from Ethiopia. Tanzania’s Jacklin Sakilu took a surprise third place finish beating her personal best by more than three minutes.

The iconic Standard Chartered Marathon sets foot in Vietnam as Standard Chartered announced its title sponsorship for the Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race, starting 2024. The first Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race, is scheduled to take place on November 3rd, 2024, running through the vibrant streets of Hanoi’s old quarter. This is the first mass participation event title sponsored by Standard Chartered in Vietnam, a market with deep roots and a long heritage since 1904. The inaugural race will be a key milestone as the Bank commemorates its 120th year anniversary in Vietnam in 2024. Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race will be the 10th race in the Standard Chartered Marathon franchise, which is renowned worldwide for its celebration of endurance, unity, and the pursuit of excellence, upholding high international race standards. Standard Chartered has had a rich history of hosting prestigious marathons worldwide since 1997. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is the Bank’s first marathon and the biggest one with the participation of over 70,000 runners pre-covid. This race, along with Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon which is attracting 50,000 runners in 2023, is categorized as World Athletics Gold Label. Ms. Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, said: “We are very proud to be the title sponsor, bringing the first edition of the Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race to Hanoi, an event that celebrates the richness of culture and heritage, which resonates with Standard Chartered as one of the oldest international banks in Vietnam. Leveraging the expertise from our Standard Chartered Marathon franchise, we aim to bring the best of traditions and modern race technology to elevate the experience for all." “The Standard Chartered Hanoi Marathon Heritage Race will be a race for everyone – bringing people from all walks of life together to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle, while binding our community through the shared values of resilience and determination,” she said. “Vietnam is a key market in our global footprint. We continue to invest more into the country to better serve our clients, colleagues and the community. Being a title sponsor of a prestigious marque event here reinforces our commitment to Vietnam. We are here for the long run. We are here for good.” she added.

Among women, Ivyne Lagat wins in 2h24’36" and writes her name in the roll of honor With 2h06’24" the Kenyan Asbel Rutto sets the new race record The Last Cup was awarded to Julia Khvasechko 129 flags are waving on the starting line ROME – Rome woke up to a magnificent day, with the sun caressing all the runners and illuminating their smiles, their desire to party and add a new piece of history to the thousand-year history of this city. Record number of participants and foreigners, male race record, exceptional conditions to embark on the journey towards the 30th birthday on March 16, 2025. There were the volunteers of the Roman Legion Historical Group who gave a solemn character to the start of the most attended sporting event in Italy by making the ancient shoes resonate while the musical band of the Municipal Police Corps of Rome Capital sang the Anthem National under the watchful eye of the Colosseum. It was then the Councilor for Major Events, Sport and Tourism of Rome Capital Alessandro Onorato who gave the official start at 8.30 am to around 19 thousand marathon runners, almost 11 thousand from abroad, who set off in the four waves to go and conquer the streets of the Eternal City. 40 thousand hearts fueled by the strength of the values of sport, friendship, solidarity, the desire to redeem obstacles. Before the official start, departure at 8.25 for the Inix pushers and the wheelchair athletes including the Paralympic athlete Toni Milano. THE POPE’S GREETING TO THE ANGELUS – "I welcome with pleasure the participants in the Rome Marathon, the traditional celebration of sport and brotherhood. Also this year, on the initiative of Athletica Vaticana, numerous athletes are involved in the “relays of solidarity”, becoming witnesses of sharing", Pope Francis’ comment at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square. FINISH (MEN) – Final solo by the Kenyan Asbel Rutto who with 2h06’24" (2’59"/km) wrote a new course record, improving the 2:06:48 of the Ethiopian Bekele Tefera Fikre who won it in 2022 and his personal best of almost 3’. Place of honor for Brian Kipsang in 2h07’54" followed by Sila Kiptoo in 2h08’08" who precedes a long trail of ten Kenyans. Great race by Edgardo Confessa (Km Sport) who rose to 14th position and closed his efforts in 2h26’02" (3’28"/km). Silver medal for Ettore Scardecchia (Asd Running Evolution) in 2h28’33" followed by Fabrizio Meoli (Int. Security) with 2h29’15". “Winning in such a beautiful city with a new race record is a great emotion. I struggled several times on the cobblestones but I was very sure of my condition and my goal. True, the last 10km I was a little tired and I suffered a little from the heat but the motivation was very high. I’m not at all surprised by my move to the half marathon so early: my legs responded well and I wanted to give my best. I managed to admire this fantastic city a little and I have to thank the large audience who supported me throughout the entire journey,” said the winning Kenyan. FINISH (WOMEN)-Victory with an extraordinary personal best for the Kenyan Ivyne Lagat who finishes her efforts in 2h24’36 “(3’25” / km). The women’s podium was completed by Kenyan Lydia Simiyu in 2h25’10" and Ethiopian Emebet Niguse in 2h26’41". Tenth overall was the first of the Italians Denise Tappatà (Stamura Ancona) who crossed the finish line in 2h47’50" (3’59"/km), followed by Paola Salvatori (US Roma 83) in 2h50’48" and Damiana Monfreda (Amatori Atl Acquaviva) in 2h55’10". “What a satisfaction to win in Rome, I’m very happy with my performance. I improved my personal marathon time by about 16 minutes. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I loved racing in Rome with a huge audience applauding me. I struggled in the last 5km of the race but I held on because I wanted this result too much,” said the winner. Acea Run Rome Photos – 2024