Full-time fun half the way
MORE than 700 runners will take part in a 21- kilometre race in Hurghada on Tuesday.
According to Sally El-Mistikawi, marketing communications manager, the race, called Le Meridien Makadi Bay Half Marathon, will be promoted in seven European countries covering almost all major international travel agencies and tour operators. El-Mistikawi added that it was decided that the marathon become an annual event held every March and at the same location.
Participants are mainly foreign contestants including world class champions as well as local university students. The list includes Frenchmen Dominique Chauvellier, four- time European and French champion and Philippe Remond, eight-time winner of Marathon Medoc, the second biggest marathon in Europe after the Paris Marathon which Remond won in 2003. Mohamed Ferchichi is another Frenchman who won the Amsterdam Marathon and the 20km Paris Marathon. Maagli Maggiolini of Italy came third in the world 100km championship and Christophe Vatinel is an international champion in the triathlon.
Women participants will be favourite Russian Marina Davinova, winner of the Casablanca 2002 Marathon. Davinova has the Marrakech 2002 Marathon under her belt, too.
Winner of the 2003 Marrakech Marathon Irina Maloukhina, also of Russia will be Davinova's main rival.
The Hurghada event also includes a 10km race on Safaga road organised by Zara Events Consultants in association with the International Athletic Federation as well as Le Meridien Makadi Bay Resort working as a co-organiser.
