Dubai Holding on January 24,2020 announced the highest number of Emirati participants in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon from the introduction of the UAE National Prize Category in 2011. Over the past nine years, Emirati participation has increased by 325% with the 2020 marathon not only seeing the greatest number of Emiratis taking part but also record times for UAE Nationals in the citys signature fitness event.

This year, the companys #MyCity_MyRace campaign that called on all male and female Emiratis to participate, inspired 30% more UAE Nationals to take part throughout all categories versus 2019. The most substantial increase was in the 10km which saw Emirati participation increase by a stunning 61% in contrast with final year. The 10km was a most important focus for the Dubai Holding campaign as it encourages mass participation of all fitness levels. This year also witnessed the return of a UAE National who participated in the wheel chair category for the third consecutive year.

In celebration of UAE National success in the Dubai Marathon, Dubai Holding will award a prize fund of AED 86,000 to the top three male and female Emirati winners from each category.

Khalid Al Malik, Managing Director of Dubai Holding, commented: It is extraordinary to see how the Emirati community has responded to our campaign and proudly come together with the UAE National athletes to represent the nation in this tremendous event. This years results and especially both the amazing 61% increase of fellow UAE Nationals taking part in the 10km and the Emirati records broken in this year reflects the collaborative effort among all government and semi-government entities, UAE national athletes, local running clubs and the Emirati community. It is inspiring to witness the youthful generations passion in supporting our leaderships vision that nothing is impossible and that we ought to try to be successful in each sector, including sports.

Testomonials from Emirati participants:

Abdulrahman Alhosani, 34, member of the UAE Triathlon Association said: I am representing the UAE triathlon team this year and its my fifth time taking part in the Dubai Marathon. I am proud to support the #MyCity_MyRace campaign and see many of my fellow Emirati athletes and runners, both male and female participating this year. I am also delighted that I broke my very own personal record this year coming in at 3 hours, 5 minutes in the 42km, shaving 2 minutes off my previous best. Last year was a massive year for me, taking part in a predominant Triathlon in Argentina and qualifying for the Iron Man Championship in New Zealand however I constantly love taking part in events here in the UAE.

Obaid Mohamed Al Nuaeimi, 37, UAE National Running Club and the 2019s Emirati runner-up of the 10km said: Ive been taking part in the Dubai Marathon for a number of years and have been successful twice as the Emirati winner of the 10km. I have trained for this 10km all year, running alongside over thirty Emiratis every day as part of the UAE National Running Club. This year, Im delighted that all the training has paid off and I have broken my own personal best for the race. Im proud to have seen more Emirati members than ever before and specially an increase in the number of ladies taking part and I think the #MyCity_MyRace campaign has simply contributed to that. I hope next year well see even more Emiratis of all ages and health levels get involved.

Abdulla Yousef Alblooshi, 42, Founder of Desert Shield Team said: We experience its indispensable for Emiratis to take part in sporting activities, to be more active in their communities and to represent their country with pride. #MyCity_MyRace campaign says it all in an easy and stunning way and it places the duty on us Emiratis to get involved in the citys wellbeing initiatives. Four years ago, I was training with a team of friends and we were inspired to create a community group in the UAE specializing in obstacle racing, running and promotion an active lifestyle - the Desert Shield Team used to be born. We are very proud to be representing #MyCity_MyRace, taking part in the Dubai Marathon and sending out the message that sports activities is an integral part of our city and the UAE as a whole.

Mohammad Albalooshi, 26, Head Coach at Obstacle Course Racing Nation (OCR), said: Being an Emirati, it offers me a splendid sense of achievement and pride to take part in an event hosted by my city. Our ethos as a running club is aligned with Dubai Holdings committment to community wellness, we firmly agree with in the message behind #MyCity_MyRace and will proceed to support the drive to actively motivate more Emiratis to take part in the citys sporting initiatives.

AbeerAlkhaja, 30, Co- Founder of Ana Gow Running Club and Events Manager at Dubai Sports Council said:, Ive began preparing for the Dubai Marathon four months ago. As a face of the #MyCity_MyRace campaign, I was inspired to challenge more of my friends and the wider community of Emirati women to take part in this event and I assume its incredible that Dubai Holding are championing young Emiratis to be part of these historic events in our city. I was inspired by women like Sara Alulama and Meera AlFalasi who were running the Marathon (42km) and I will definitely be looking to get concerned in more activities throughout Dubais sporting calendar from right here on.

Nahla Al Fahad, UAE Film and Content Director at Expo 2020 said: This is my first time to take part and I am very proud to be part of this fantastic event. Such Marathons have emerged as an indispensable part of Emiratis lifestyle and Dubais official sports activities calendar. Our smart leadership, official bodies and government entities are eager on encouraging the participation of Emiratis and I have seen a big number of UAE Nationals from distinctive government entities to symbolize our country in Dubais official marathon.

Khalid Walid Ali, 21, Emirati Runner said: As a younger Emirati, I have been taking part in the Dubai Marathon as part of a team of 15 UAE National runners since I was 18 years old. I have been challenged by my friends to acquire and win in sports activities and turning into part of an official club has helped me with my intention to emerge as a professional athlete.

Adil Mohamed Alnuaimi, 40, member of the UAE Athletes Federation and ex footballer said: Its my first time taking part in the Dubai Marathon. Previously, I was enjoying soccer for the Ajman and Fujairah National Club teams from 2000 2017. Even though Im now 40 Im still aiming to be one of the Emirati winners of the 10km category.

Further showcasing its commitment to this globally famed marathon, Dubai Holding fielded the biggest company team for the twelfth consecutive year, with more than 2000 employees taking part. A crew from throughout the crew representing multiple nationalities, both genders and different fitness levels, including Jumeirah Group, TECOM Group, Dubai Properties, Dubai Asset Management, Arab Media Group (AMG), Dubai Retail and Dubai Holdings Corporate Office, successfully carried out distinctive categories in the Marathon.

Dubai Holding launched #MyCity_MyRace to actively encourage UAE Nationals to show their national pride and join the countrys elite runners to take part in the 10km, 42km or Wheel Chair categories. This initiative was launched to complement the Dubai Holding UAE National Prize category, a committed platform hooked up in 2011 to recognize Emirati sporting accomplishments in the Dubai Marathon and inspire participation.

Dubai Marathon is the biggest mass-participation sports activities event in the region, with the number of participants reaching more than 30,000. Dubai Holding is one of the founding sponsors as section of its wider wellbeing programme launched in 2007.