Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council for Dubai Government, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in Dubai is to organise the Dubai Midnight Marathon, a unique running event, at Burj Park, to position Dubai as tourism safety destination.
To be held at midnight, the first of its kind athletic event in the world will highlight the safety and sociability of its community, as an unparalleled urban enclave for business, leisure or long-term living.
Khalid Bin Sulayem, Director General – DTCM, said the Dubai Midnight Marathon is a proclamation to the world of the safe, secure and positive environment that citizens and visitors of Dubai enjoy as per Sheikh Mohammed strategy on safe Dubai.
“Chosen a befitting time to mark its commencement on 12.12.12 at 12 midnight, Dubai Midnight Marathon is to be an integral part of the Dubai Calendar of events in the future.”
Adding, Bin Sulayem said the fun run will be held on the 13.12.12 from 6pm onwards. The come alive with music concerts and celebrity events at the Burj Khalifa Park.
“The Dubai Midnight Marathon is conceived as a global event, which will be flagged off with a 3.2 km fun run for the public in the inaugural edition whereas the fun run will be held on the 13.12.12 starting from 12 midnight.”
Elaborating, Bin Sulayem said the full-length marathon will see the participation of world-renowned professional marathoners in the coming years. “However, the event is open to only the first 12000 who register.”
Eyad Abdul Rahman, Executive Director of Business Development Media Relations – DTCM, said Dubai Marathon brings together the diversity of population to celebrate the safe environment, cosmopolitan outlook, active lifestyle and glorious venues of Dubai. “And what could showcase these better than a midnight run in the city that stays awake for its people, round the clock.”
Shaikha Ebrahim AlMutawa, Director, Business Development – DTCM, said the first ever Dubai Midnight Marathon is one of the sustainable initiatives of the Dubai Green Award Program promoting Dubai as a tourism safety destination.
“We are targeting Dubai community as full day program set for the family. “There are activities areas which can accommodate up to 8,000 people at once, and stage performance includes local and international performers who will start at 6pm up to midnight.”
AlMutawa emphasized that the official stage program will start at 8pm, and then it will be followed by the fun run which will end by 12 midnight at the Burj Khalifa Park. “DTCM is fully geared up with an all-inclusive marketing plan to promote the event and encourage participation in the fun run.”
Majid Al Marri, Director of Hotel Classification Division – DTCM, said the DMM, in line with Dubai strategic plan, crystallizes all the effort being exerted to make Dubai on top of all tourist destinations around the globe. “These special two days are designed to serve and entertain corporate and public audience.
Adding, Al Marri said DTCM, in collaboration with the UAE Logos, will be breaking the Guinness records for organising the biggest eco board in the world which will be in Burj Park.
“The biggest inflatable billboard system in terms of the maximum number of logos in one billboard” which will be approved by the Guinness World Records Organization, the board sign is 10meters height, and 100 long, works by inflating system, and made from eco friendly materials that can be moved and used in many places without harming or damaging the environment,” he said, noting that all the DTCM events and activities are in support to sustainability and green concept in the market.
The DTCM event launching will be announced through a press conference on 12/12/2012 while the Fun Run and unveiling of the largest billboard in the world the marathon will be launched on 13/12/2012 at Burj Khalifa Park.
Al Marri said DTCM has taken the necessary arrangements to ensure the success of the event by coordinating with several government departments, such as Dubai Police, Dubai Ambulance, RTA, Department of Health, Dubai Sport Council, Dubai Municipality, Community Development Authority, and Emaar to ensure that the services are set for the comfort and safety of the audience.
“Also dedicated team is assigned to escort the public to activities area. Many gifts and valuable prizes will be given during the 13th of December.”
Meanwhile, the Dubai Municipality is to partner the DMM by taking part in the Fun Run, and providing logistic support via a specialized service team dedicated for such events.
Engineer Hussain Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said Dubai Municipality, has always been very keen since its inception, to support such events and activities to spread and develop sports culture among members of the society, basically due to the importance of sports for a healthy life.
“Dubai Municipality, being mainly a service provider for the benefit of the society, has accomplished many projects for encouraging sports practising, by building walk and cycle tracks across the emirate, apart from several public parks equipped with sports facilities and playgrounds.”
Adding, Eng Lootah said Dubai Municipality has also built a number of sports courts across the emirate in the service of the public and to develop sports culture in the society.
“Further, Dubai Municipality organizes and supports a number of sports activities and events, such as ‘Let’s Walk’ – the biggest drive to boost walking in the emirate, let alone the marathons and charity sports activities held around Dubai.”
Dr Ahmed Al-Sharif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said the DMM, is being held under the generous patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, to improve sports sector and develop members of the society awareness about the significance of physical fitness for building an excellent sports society and giving a boost to physical practices across the emirate.
“Dubai Sports Council has always been very keen on supporting all sports and social activities and events in the emirate, particularly those organized by the DTCM in view of a fruitful partnership aimed to boost sports tourism, promote Dubai as a world destination for sports tourism, and support individual and group sports alike.”
Adding, Dr Al-Sharif said the DMM will help enhance Dubai position as one of the main cities worldwide in terms of physical fitness activities, by providing all the areas and spaces needed to practice physical exercises in public parks, and encouraging all members of the society, be they nationals or residents, to exercise in a safe and joyful environment.”
Salem al Khayal (CEO of UAE Logos) mentioned that the main purpose of the inflatable sign board is to express our appreciation, value, and admiration of the great accomplishments by the government of Dubai, leaded by H.H Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, by reflecting his policy in the economic, educational, and social activities, as well as his continuous support to the private sector, which puts Dubai in a leading economic centre in the region and the world.
“We want to insure and express our determine to continue the Progress of the country in both internal and external levels, serving the community as an integral part of the social responsibility of the private sector through supporting the Autism Trust Foundation in Dubai, which considered one of the main charity activities in the society, and to ensure that we participate in promoting all areas (economic, social, and educational)” added by Mr. Salem al Khayal.
David Thomson, Chief Operating Officer explains “We are thrilled to support Dubai’s celebration of a safe community and to encourage fitness amongst Dubai’s residents. As the exclusive hotel partner of the event, we are delighted to be involved in a project that so accurately matches what we, as a company, stand for. Only Dubai could turn a simple concept into a notable celebration and it’s a true honour to be associated with this event”.
Fahid Bin Al Sheikh, Deputy Chairman of the Autism Trust Foundation (ATF), said it is a pleasure to cooperate with DTCM in the DMM which boosts the role of our non-profit foundation in supporting autistic patients in the emirate. “The 72 autistic cases registered so far with the ATF in Dubai reflects the integration of all local and private bodies to help autistic centres.”
Elaborating, Al Sheikh said the ATF is the only centre worldwide which accepts above 18 years old autistic children and provides specialized programs in association with the Community Development Authority in Dubai and many other international government authorities.
“The ATF, though registered in the UK, has a network of branches and bureaus in the UAE and Canada to help autistic patients and their families and empower them to live a hassle and pain free life.”
Adding, Al Sheikh said the ATF is now working on the development of all autism centres in the world to hold a leading and trusted position internationally. “We do want to enhance and evaluate the biological and medical curricula accredited in treating autism, support targeted families, and boost relevant researches and studies.”
D.Y. Kim, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE, said as the tourism industry is one of the main pillars of Dubai, LG is committed towards supporting DTCM in their productive journey by providing them with the latest Hotel TV products and solutions. “LG is looking forward to partner with DTCM in their future events to share their vision in promoting Dubai as a global touristic destination with an unparalleled level of hospitality.”
Sathar Al Karan; Chief Visionary officer in Glow Events said “ A part of the great vision His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has for Dubai is to make this a city of exciting and remarkable events. The Dubai Midnight Marathon is such an event we created in line with this larger plan. It is also my way of giving back something to this place that I greatly admire and love; something that adds to its attraction as a destination for safe and healthy living.”
Also to mention, DTCM has many supporters, sponsors and partners, and their valuable support is incredibly recognized for the success of the event, such as Fitness First, Sports 360, Emax, Power of People Foundation, Spotlight, Glow Productions, and Event Brokers.
The Dubai Midnight Marathon is to be officially launched at the Burj Downtown at 8.00pm. This will mark yet another record achievement for Dubai – the world’s largest eco-board featuring the maximum number of sponsor logos which will enter the Guinness book of world records.
