Riyadh Marathon Concludes with Participation of 20,000 Competitors from Around the World

The third edition of the Riyadh Marathon saw the participation of more than 20,000 competitors. SPA
The third edition of the Riyadh Marathon saw the participation of more than 20,000 competitors. SPA
TT
20

Riyadh Marathon Concludes with Participation of 20,000 Competitors from Around the World

The third edition of the Riyadh Marathon saw the participation of more than 20,000 competitors. SPA
The third edition of the Riyadh Marathon saw the participation of more than 20,000 competitors. SPA

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) concluded on Saturday the third edition of the Riyadh Marathon, which was held on February 9-10 in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with the participation of more than 20,000 male and female competitors from around the world.
The contestants crossed the finish line, amid enthusiastic applause from their peers and attendees. The winners were granted prizes worth more than SAR700,000, in addition to medals to celebrate their achievement and participation in the marathon.
Kenyan Kegen Kirwa was crowned in the first place in the men’s professional category for a distance of 242 kilometers, Ethiopian Telehun Gashaho won second place, and third place went to Moroccan Algoz Anwar.
This edition saw the participation of thousands of sports enthusiasts, with participants of over 20,000 male and female competitors from 125 countries.
Males represented 64% while females represented 36% of the total number of participants, with 600 who participated in the full marathon, 3,000 competitors in the half marathon, nearly 8,000 competitors in the 10 km race, and 8,400 participants in the 4 km race. The marathon recorded an increase in the number of participants amounting to more than 33% compared to last year.



Cancelo Ruled Out of Al-Hilal’s Asian Champions League Semi with Al-Ahli 

Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
TT
20

Cancelo Ruled Out of Al-Hilal’s Asian Champions League Semi with Al-Ahli 

Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 
Football - Saudi Pro League – Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - April 21, 2025 Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus is seen during the match. (Reuters) 

Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus has ruled Joao Cancelo out of the remainder of his side's Asian Champions League Elite campaign with a hamstring injury ahead of their all-Saudi Pro League semi-final against Al-Ahli in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona defender limped off 42 minutes into Al-Hilal's 7-0 thrashing of South Korea's Gwangju on Friday and Jesus confirmed the 30-year-old would play no further part in the continental championship.

"The only negative part of an excellent night was the injury to Joao Cancelo," said Jesus. "He's one of the players who is very important for the team for his attacking ability.

"We will not have him. He will be out for four to six weeks, that means his season is practically over, but he will be well prepared for our participation in the Club World Cup."

Al-Hilal remain on track for a record-extending fifth Asian title but face a difficult challenge against an Al-Ahli side that is the only undefeated team left in the competition.

The clubs have already met three times this season in domestic competition, with Al-Ahli winning the most recent encounter in the Saudi Pro League thanks to a hat-trick by England striker Ivan Toney.

That win was coach Matthias Jaissle's first against Al-Hilal in five attempts and the German is confident his side can repeat the feat.

"It helps definitely to know, to feel that we are capable to win against Al-Hilal," said Jaissle.

"We've played against Al-Hilal so often and they have huge quality in their squad, but we're well prepared. We know exactly what will come tomorrow, there will be no surprises on the pitch. Details will be decisive."

The semi-final will be played at Al-Ahli's home at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Jaissle is hoping the support of the local fans will be a factor in deciding the outcome.

"The results in the matches since the competition started show clearly that this competition fits us," he said. "But we didn't achieve anything so far.

"Everything has to fit together, all the details in all phases of the game. Then you need sometimes a bit of luck and the extra energy of the fans."