From left: Andrea Trabuio, Raki Phillips and Enrico Fili during the announcement of the route of Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Monday.

The race route and technical partner for the 14th edition of the world’s fastest Half Marathon has been announced on Monday by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism and Development Authority (RAKTDA) and the new race organisers, RCS Sports and Events.

The race route, which stretches along the scenic shores of Al Murjan Island, has been adapted to position the start and finish lines in the heart of the event village, allowing supporters to get closer to the action and cheer on the runners. Thanks to the modified route, relay runners handing over at the end of the first or the third legs - the 5km and 15km points respectively - will be offered transport shuttles back to the event village.

The leading Spanish sports equipment brand, Joma, has also been named as the technical sponsor for the world-class half marathon.

Using cutting-edge technology, Joma’s light-weight Mesh fabric t-shirts offer superior levels of breathability to keeping runners fresh and dry.

The t-shirt’s round collar and slim-fit design ensures greater comfort and quality  performance.

Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA said: “With the mountain backdrop and stunning beachside location, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon has become one of the most popular events on the international sporting calendar.  

“Now in its 14th edition, we are ready to welcome participants, spectators and sports enthusiasts to Al Marjan Island to be a part of the world’s fastest half marathon and hope they will take the opportunity to extend their stay in our Emirate to experience our unique combination of adventure, culture and beachside relaxation.”

Enrico Fili, CEO of RCS Sports and Events, said: “Ras Al Khaimah Marathon is a popular sporting event on both national and international fronts considering its world record, and partnering with the Spanish leading brand, Joma, ensures top-notch quality athletic apparel for our participants that complements their entire experience.”

Taking place on the Feb. 21 next year, the road race’s modified 21.1km route around the event village makes the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon an activity for the whole family and runners of all fitness levels in the UAE.

Multiple race categories cater for a wide range of abilities, including elite runners, club runners, recreational runners, people of determination and juniors, as well as a relay race format for teams that is perfect for corporates aiming to motivate staff.

The prize fund has been increased to a total of Dhs1,219,000 and will be split and awarded to the front-runners in each of the race categories.

Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon announced its primary sponsors for the 2020 event, including RAKTDA, Ras Al Khaimah Ports and the leading Spanish sports brand, Joma, as the technical sponsor.

The event will be further supported by media partners, such as Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Sport360 and Filipino Times.  

Runners can register and learn more about the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon at: www.therakhalfmarathon.com.

Those who register before Oct. 31 will receive a 20 per cent early bird discount.

The RAK half marathon is officially the world’s fastest half marathon. The race first took place in 2007, offering races for all fitness levels and has a strong community focus through a variety of partners in the rich historical Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah.

In order to attract 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and 3 million visitors by 2025, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA aims to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.