Get active, run the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon

Muscat - Seven top athletes from a variety of sport disciplines have joined forces as inspirational ambassadors for the event

Details of the 2020 edition of the Sultanate's largest and most popular running event, Al Mouj Muscat Marathon were unveiled on Wednesdsay, marking the opening of registrations for the 2020 event.
The next edition of the Sultanate's two-day festival of running will take place on the weekend of Jan. 17 and 18, 2020 and aims to grow the appeal to international runners and get more Omani youth active.
Under slogan #RunWithUs, the national campaign comes in light of the rising levels of diabetes, obesity and hypertension in Oman. Seven top athletes from a variety of sport disciplines have joined forces as inspirational ambassadors for the event to highlight this mission, Oman's top goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, sportscar racing driver Ahmad Al Harthi, Olympic showjumper Sultan Al Touqi, sprinter Barakat Al Harthi, tennis player Fatma Al Nabhani, sailor and Olympic hopeful Musab Al Hadi.
They, alongside global ambassador and world record holder Paula Radcliffe, will act as role models to add to the collaborative effort by the event organisers, Oman Sail, and supporters to engage a bigger segment of the youth population to get active.
Speaking about the new campaign, Omani custodian, Ali Al Habsi said, "Al Mouj Muscat Marathon is the perfect opportunity to engage the youth on the importance of being active. The annual event provides a fun platform for people to challenge themselves and work towards a fitness goal. My children took part in the kids run last year and really enjoyed the experience. I look forward to running in the event next year."
Tennis star Fatma Al Nabhani added, "It is an honour to be working with al Mouj Muscat Marathon on a campaign that brings the whole nation together for a healthier future. The risk of not being physically active is too high. I would love to see more women participating in the event, because nothing is beyond our reach. I have never done anything like this before, but I love to challenge myself and hope that many people will join me at the event."
Younis Al Siyabi, Chairman of the Oman Athletics Association (OAA), said: "We are proud to add our support to the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon and its important goal of encouraging people in Oman to become more active. It is completely in step with our goals and objectives and we applaud its central role in next year's event.
"At the heart of the OAA is the mission to promote sport and athletics across the Sultanate, and the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon has a very important role to play in that endeavour."
Opening day, on Jan. 17, will feature the main marathon event along with the half-marathon and 10-km races. Day two, on Jan. 18, will feature the popular 5-km Run and the Kids' Run. All events will be hosted around Al Mouj Muscat, which will again provide a striking background for the range of athletic endeavours.
The 42.195-km marathon and subsidiary events are all certified by world-running organisation AIMS to conform to International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) standards and offer a great variety for runners.
Registration is now open and can be done through the official event website: https://muscatmarathon.om/