Nine international elite runners competing in Dubai Holding Women’s Run 2014

Dubai, 5 November 2014- The UAE Athletics Federation announced today that over nine international elite runners will take part in the Dubai Holding Women’s Run 2014, raising the bar for the thousands of registered participants. This announcement was made today at a press conference held in Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

One of Haiti’s top-ranked athletes, Bertine Laine, will be competing on Friday, along with Turkey’s Esma Aydemir, holder of the Turkish national record in 1-mile race, and Kenya’s Eliza Chemwetich Lopilale, Ambassador for the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation.

Biljana Cvijanović and Sonja Stolić will represent Serbia, while Ernestina Maria de Conceicao Pailino and Adelaide Ester Macha will also be flying in from Angola. Recent Asian Games Gold Medallist emirati elite runner Alia Saeed Mohammed will be returning along with Betlhem Desalgn Belaynah will be taking part in the race for the fourth time.

Laila Mohammad Suhail, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) Board Member and President of the Women Sports Committee, hailed the great efforts of the organising committee that helped shape and grow this inspiring event. “The Dubai Sports Council is very pleased to be supporting Dubai Holding Women’s Run as it fits perfectly with the Council’s vision of encouraging sports within the UAE community”, Suhail said.

“The DSC organises more than 400 sports events and competitions every year, and many of these competitions are women focused. The Dubai Holding Women’s Run 2014 is a perfect example of how women sports events can be an inspiring success story, and the level of participation is this year’s edition is a clear proof.”

Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee, said: “Dubai Holding’s key objective in sponsoring the Dubai Holding Women’s Run is to elevate the of the race to international standards and it is very encouraging to see so many elite athletes taking part in the race, while also will serving as an example and inspiration to other participants. They each have a very unique story which has driven them to achieve great results and we all have something to learn from them.”

Ahmad Al Kamali, International Association of Athletics Federation Council Member and President of the UAE Athletics Federation, added: “Such an impressive list of participants is testament to the race’s growing prominence on the global circuit. Each year we reach new milestones and we are today on par with some of the leading races in the world, well on track to reach our goal of being amongst the top three largest.”

Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, du, the official telco partner, said: “We believe that our role as an Emirati company is not just to connect people, but to inspire and encourage our community to adopt a healthier way of living.

To this end we are proud to both support and participate in the Dubai Holding Women’s Run, and look forward to cheering for all of the runners, who are truly role models for women’s fitness and health.”