JEDDAH: More than 500 runners and walkers turned out on Saturday night for the “Walk With Us In Ramadan” race, with organizers hailing a “very successful” event.
The Saudi Sports for All Federation and Ministry of Sports fun race welcomed people of all ages and abilities with the aim of promoting walking, running, and cycling as exercise.
Adults and youths traveled up to five kilometers while children could walk or run for one kilometer.
Supporters lined the Roshan waterfront for the start and others were seen along the course cheering on the participants.
“I love running, I guess. I never thought I would be this type of person, but here I am among hundreds of runners and walkers in this beautiful night for one aim to prove that age is only a number and people like me can do it too,” said 67-year-old Saeed Abu Al-Jadail.
“I run and walk every day for the last few years and I really feel great since I started. I signed up for this race to join my friends who are also old, but we wanted to prove that we could do it for our health.”
Meanwhile Abdulaziz Sediqi, 39, traveled from Taif and was feeling strong at the finish line after competing in the 5km race.
“I felt good. I felt like my fitness was getting to the place I wanted it to be,” he said. “I felt positive coming into the race … I had a good night and things turned out my way.”
While he stayed focused on cheering his friends, Sediqi said he also enjoyed the race. “With five hours out there in Ramadan, you’ve got to enjoy it,” he said. “I’d say the highlights were coming to Jeddah and seeing kids, mothers, fathers, young, old and people with special needs determined to complete the race.”
Another bright moment, three children and their father were on the side of the race cheering for their mother, 50-year-old Maha Saad Aldeen.
After finishing, Aldeen told Arab News that she was lucky to register at the last moment for this race. “We came to the Corniche to walk but when I saw all these people preparing for the race, I told my husband, I want to join them. So, I registered as one of the last participants and was very happy.”
After completing the 5km run, she said: “It is an amazing feeling that I am going through and I am so glad I achieved my goal.”
Filipina Dana Garnaza, who was participating with her husband, said: “This is really a great community event that people can bond over and do together. I hadn’t really been training so it was nice to just get out there and do 5km.
All those who finished received a medal for their efforts.