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Qatar tribune
Ayeni Olusegun
Doha
There was an air of fun and excitement as a record 4,000 people from all walks of life took part in the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2019 on Friday for a healthy cause – to remain fit and healthy.
This edition of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon saw record participation and record prizes for winners.
More than 4,000 runners took their places at the start line, with record entrants in all categories, and scores of Doha residents lined the streets to witness some incredible performances from the world’s top marathon professionals as well as local runners. 
The event, a much-anticipated fixture on Qatar’s sporting calendar, was attended by  Minister of Culture and Sports HE Salah bin Ghanem al Ali and Qatari Olympic Medalist Mutaz Barshim, along with a number of senior executives from Ooredoo.
Runners who scooped top spot in the Men’s Open category and the Women’s Open category both received QR45,000, with winners and runners up in the other categories also receiving generous cash prizes. 
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Doha to cheer for the runners, both in the marathon categories and the shorter distances, and the finish line was packed with supporters creating an electric atmosphere. 
Ooredoo CEO Waleed al Sayed, said: “We’re delighted to kickstart the year with the most successful edition of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon yet, hoping that runners, spectators and sponsors all enjoyed a great event. I’d like to congratulate the winners of each category, of course, but also all participants – in both marathon and the shorter distances - on their commitment to getting fit and joining in this worthwhile sporting event. I’d also like to thank our generous sponsors for their incredible support, without whom the event simply couldn’t happen.”
Chebii Collins Kiptarus led a Kenyan sweep of the podium in the men's category of the. The 2011 All-Africa Games silver medallist finished the full marathon in 2:24:27sec just ahead of compatriots David Rutoh and Timothy Kiprop Kemei. 
In the women's race, Nancy Joan Rotich, also from Kenya, finished in 2:46.24 to take the top honours. Finland’s Pia Sundstedt (3:25.56) and Perrine Fages of France (3:28.09) completed the podium.
In the Half Marathon (21k), Kenyan Alex Kibet won the top prize with a time of 1:01:53 while in the women's category, 31-year-old Allie Kiefer from the USA, clocked a time of time 1:10:40 for the title.
Event organisers laid on a wide variety of activities in MIA Park, ensuring plenty of fun for all. 
The annual Ooredoo Doha Marathon, an event inaugurated in 2013, was designed to encourage Qatari citizens and residents to embrace an active lifestyle and has grown into a much-anticipated event for experienced marathon runners, fitness enthusiasts and novices alike. 
It is now one of the most popular events on Qatar’s sporting calendar, attracting the cream of the international marathon crop, and is an exciting opportunity for Qatar-based runners to compete against international marathon professionals. 
The marathon marks the start of a packed schedule of sporting events throughout the year, as Ooredoo continues to support Qatar’s drive to promote health and fitness amongst its citizens and residents. 
In line with Ooredoo’s corporate social responsibility strategy and its commitment to supporting the communities in which it operates, all funds generated from the Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2019 will go directly to charitable organisations. 

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11/01/2019
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