JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation has revealed the details of the first edition of the Red Sea Marathon set to take place in Jeddah on Jan. 18, 2025.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Jeddah, during which the federation said it expected 10,000 local and international runners to take part in the race.
The briefing was attended by Habib bin Ali Al-Rabaan, president of SAAF; Badr Al-Shibani, managing director at organizing agency Sports Hub; and Dr. Roberto Magaraggia, chairman of the marathon’s technical committee and vice president of the organizing committee.
According to Al-Shibani, four categories will be available for participants: the full marathon (42.2 km) for professional and amateur runners, a half marathon (21.1 km) for avid runners, a 10-km race for those aged 17 and above, and a 4-km race for beginners and children.
Once registration is finalized, SAAF will invite some of the world’s top marathon runners — women and men — to participate in the “elite field.”
He said: “I am sure the people of Jeddah will be glad to see such big names.”
The federation also revealed that, in partnership with Sports Hub, it intends to host the full marathon on an annual basis. A significant prize purse will be allocated for the winning professional runners, which should attract a large number of elite international and regional athletes, including many of Saudi Arabia’s own.
Al-Rabaan added: “We are excited to play a part in bringing such an iconic event to Jeddah.
“Our partnership with the Sports Hub is built on a shared commitment to elevating the health and well-being of individuals and embodies our dedication to supporting the communities in which we operate.
“It may be the first of its kind in Jeddah, but it will be another great marathon among established international marathons,” he said.
Al-Shibani noted that January is an ideal month to host the Red Sea Marathon due to the cool weather conditions expected at that time of year, especially at night.
Furthermore, he said that the marathon is expected to generate many benefits for Jeddah, promoting the city’s sporting resources, as well as having a positive economic impact on local hotels, restaurants, airlines, transportation providers, and other commercial entities.
Magaraggia said the marathon route for the Red Sea Marathon is a spectacular and challenging circular course.
“The running route, which runs along the beautiful corniche, meets the standards of the International Marathon Association,” he said.
