عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Saudi Sports for All Federation, Jeddah Historic District Program Collaborate for Inaugural Half Marathon

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)
TT
TT

Saudi Sports for All Federation, Jeddah Historic District Program Collaborate for Inaugural Half Marathon

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)
The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) and the Jeddah Historic District Program, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Culture, have announced a collaboration to organize the Historic Jeddah Half Marathon on March 2.
According to a statement released by SFA on Thursday, this inaugural event, the first of its kind in the district, aims to highlight the vibrant heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic Jeddah Historic District while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for all members of society.
The statement said there will be four races on the day: the half marathon (21km), open to ages 18 and above; a 10km for ages 12 and above; and 4km and 1km races, both open to all age groups, catering to all ages and abilities. Assistance will be provided for runners with special needs.
Each race will start and finish at Bab Jadid, with runners winding their way through charming streets, past iconic landmarks, and bustling markets. Nassif House, a breathtaking example of traditional architecture; Al-Matbouli Museum; Al-Juffali Mosque; King Fahd Fountain; and the Jeddah Corniche are among the many cultural sights runners will experience within the Jeddah Historic District, the release said.
A race village will also be created and open from February 29, offering entertainment, games, cultural performances, a live DJ, and traditional food for participants and supporting visitors to enjoy the events.
"The marathon aligns with the SFA goal of making more of the nation active, and it also shines a spotlight on Saudi culture and heritage, promoting tourism. This is how we build a stronger Kingdom,” said SFA President Prince Khaled bin Alaweed bin Talal Al-Saud.
Director General of Jeddah Historic District Program Abdulaziz Al-Issa said that the marathon falls within the essence of regeneration of Jeddah's Historic District, adding that the event "aims to enhance the quality of life and enrich the visitor experience by highlighting the district's architectural treasures that tell a long and captivating story, representing a proud part of the Kingdom's rich history."

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony: Saudi Team Highlights Cultural Heritage

Saudi athletes wave their country’s flag during the opening parade. (Saudi Olympic Committee)
Saudi athletes wave their country’s flag during the opening parade. (Saudi Olympic Committee)
TT
TT

Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony: Saudi Team Highlights Cultural Heritage

Saudi athletes wave their country’s flag during the opening parade. (Saudi Olympic Committee)
Saudi athletes wave their country’s flag during the opening parade. (Saudi Olympic Committee)

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and his deputy, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz, attended the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris.

Held outside the traditional stadiums for the first time in history, the ceremony featured a parade of the 206 participating countries on 100 boats traveling approximately 6 kilometers along the Seine River.

The Saudi show jumping team player, Ramzy Al-Duhami, and his colleague, the Saudi Taekwondo champion Dunya Aboutaleb, raised the Saudi flag at the opening of the world’s largest sporting event.

Al-Duhami expressed his pride in raising the Kingdom’s flag alongside his teammate, noting that it was a dream for any Saudi citizen. He wished success for the Saudi athletes in representing Saudi sports with distinction.

Aboutaleb, in turn, said he was honored to carry the Kingdom’s flag at the Olympic Games, stating: “I aspire to perform at a level that reflects the support and attention given to sports in the Kingdom.”

The Saudi athletes’ uniform was admired by the international media and the audience, who applauded the players the moment their boat appeared on the Seine River.

The designs for the opening ceremony were chosen through a national competition organized by the Saudi Arabian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, with the participation of designers from across the Kingdom.

Out of 128 competing designers, the chosen uniform by Saudi designer Alia Al-Salmi featured traditional men’s thobes and bishts and brightly patterned thobe al-nashal for women, symbolizing the athletes’ pride in their homeland and cultural roots.

Mashael Al-Ayed, 17, will be the first Saudi athlete to compete, taking to the pool for the 200 meters freestyle swimming event on July 28. Al-Ayed is the first female swimmer to represent Saudi Arabia at the Olympics.